Debra Kay Shelton VanWagner was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, December 4, 1956, to Jerry Leon and Sally K. Radican Shelton. As an adult, she made her home in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Debra graduated from Annandale High School, Annandale, Virginia. She attended Georgetown University, and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Foreign Service. She also received a Master's Degree in Industrial Engineering from Virginia Tech.

Her sense of adventure and interest in travel were enhanced by her knowledge of German and Swedish, as well as her experience as an exchange student in Finland.

Debra was very thoughtful of others. Her compassion and sensitivity to the personal situations of those she knew were reflected in her generous, caring nature.

Known to her immediate family as Deb, she was Debra Kay to relatives,  Auntie to her nieces and nephew, Mom to her children, Mimi to her grandchildren, and Debbie to her friends.

Debra passed away November 9, 2022. She was preceded in death by her father, Jerry Leon Shelton. Debra is survived by her mother, Sally (Shelton) Rogers; sister, Jeri Lea Leddon (Hank); nieces, Katie Leddon and Rebecca Leddon (Nick Gaetjen); nephew, Justin Leddon; husband, Marshall VanWagner; daughter, Svetlana VanWagner; son, Evgeniy VanWagner; and three grandchildren.