Debbie Baldwin Hope LeSueur

Debbie Baldwin Hope LeSueur, age 81, of Centre, Alabama, formerly of Canton, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 11, 2026, at Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center in Rome, Georgia. A funeral service will be held Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Perry Funeral Home in Centre, Alabama, with the family receiving friends from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of service. A graveside burial service will be held Monday, February 16, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. EST at Cherokee Memorial Park in Canton, Georgia. Debbie was born and raised in Potash, Alabama, where she grew up a feisty farm girl alongside her older sister and four older brothers. Raised in the church, she found her faith early in life and carried it with her always. Even as a young girl, she was known for her spirited nature—famously knocking one of her brothers out with a well-aimed sweet potato. As a young woman, she moved to Atlanta and worked as a telephone operator. In Atlanta she met Archie Hope, a mechanic from Geraldine, Alabama. They married and shared 33 devoted years together. Debbie was a loving wife and mother, and together they welcomed their son, Michael “Mikey” Hope, whom she cherished and raised with pride. Her years of farm work gave her an athlete’s strength. Debbie played in the Atlanta Lawn Tennis League, where she routinely clobbered the expectations of her male competitors. Later, the family moved to a farm in North Georgia, where Debbie thrived. She could catch fish as fast as someone else could bait her hook and lovingly earned the title of “Chicken Mama” at the Hope Chicken Ranch. Debbie faithfully cared for Archie in his final days, exemplifying her steadfast love and strength. In time, she found love again with Larry LeSueur, an electrician from Acworth. They married and immediately began a joyful life together—Larry quickly discovering Debbie’s ever-expanding “Honey-Do” list. Their 27-year marriage was filled with laughter, travel, and deep devotion as they made their home at a lake house in Centre and journeyed across the country together. Debbie became a devoted second mother to Larry’s children—Kimberly Peterson, Angela Flowers, Brandon LeSueur and his wife Kary —and a beloved “Mimi” to Courtney, Nicholas, Isabel, Austin, and Cooper. Everywhere she lived, she became a cherished friend and neighbor and never met a stranger. In just a few minutes of chatting she’d know nearly anyone’s life story and share hers. She is survived by her husband, Larry LeSueur; her son, Michael "Mikey" Hope; her step-daughters, Angela Flowers and Kimberly Peterson; her step-son, Brandon LeSueur and his wife, Kary; and also her grandchildren, Nicholas, Isabel, Cooper, Austin, and Courtney. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Lillian Baldwin; her first husband, Archie Hope; her brothers, Wallace Baldwin, Pierce Baldwin, Clinton Baldwin, and Cauthen Baldwin; and her sister, Clara Williams. The family respectfully requests cut flowers or potted plants, or donations made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Trinity Broadcasting Network, or the Wounded Warrior Project. Perry Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.perryfuneral.net

Debbie Baldwin Hope LeSueur

October 7, 1944 - February 11, 2026