Deborah Kay Michael
1950-2026
Deborah Kay Michael, 75, passed away on May 16, 2026 at Winchester Medical Center in Winchester, Va.
Born July 2, 1950 in Berkeley Springs, W,Va., she was the daughter of the late Gaylen Brethed Shaw, Sr. and the late Edith Evelyn Manley Shaw.
She was a 1968 graduate of Berkeley Springs High School and went on to become a beautician and was owner/operator of Korner Kurl for 28 years.
Debbie was a life member of the Alderton-Dawson American Legion Auxiliary Unit #60 having joined in 1976 where she held every office except treasurer and chaired numerous committees. She served as the 10th District President, vice president and was the children & youth chairman. Debbie served as 2nd Vice President and Vice President for the American Legion Auxiliary Department of West Virginia before serving as Department President during the 2023-2024 year. She also held various committee chair positions on the Department level. She also was a member of the VFW Post #9760 in Berryville, Va.
Debbie enjoyed cooking, watching Hallmark movies, loved spending time with her grandchildren and her fur baby “Nikki.”
Deborah is survived by her children, Lucius Todd Michael (Heather), Josh William Michael (Gretchen) and Christian Paul Michael (Jenny) all of Berkeley Springs, W.Va. and Eric James Michael (Lea) of Williamsport, Md., thirteen grandchildren, Deven Morris, Lucius Michael, Jr., Clara Michael, Lilly Michael, Josh Michael II, Casey Michael, Lily Close, Maddie Close, Charli Michael, Andi Michael, Laken Michael, Lucas Michael and Cody Michael, one great grandson, Camden Morris and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Roger John “Kat” Michael in 2023, eight sisters, Eleanor Drew Grove, Patricia Shaw, Stella Lorraine Moore, Nancy Ellen Shaw, Marie Aileen Weller, Anna Jean Murray Pierce, Delores Ann Lowe and Norma Evelyn Rash, and four brothers, Harold Henry Shaw, Malcolm “Jim” Elmer Shaw, Gaylen Brethed “June” Shaw, Jr. and Charles Richard Bohrer.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 from 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. at Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 95 Union Street, Berkeley Springs, W.Va. Services will be private. Private burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Berkeley Springs, W.Va.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alderton-Dawson American Legion Post #60, 527 N. Washington Street, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411 in Deborah’s memory.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.helsleyjohnsonfh.com.
