Deborah D Carde

Deborah D. Carde, 72, entered eternal rest on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones.

Deborah D. Carde was born on September 2, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois, to Dave Carde Sr. and Bessie Lee Avery. She was the only daughter among five children and shared a close and loving bond with her four brothers.

At an early age, Deborah professed her faith in the Lord and became an active member of Walls Memorial CME Church, where she served faithfully as a Sunday School teacher. Encouraged by her mother’s strong belief in education, she pursued academic excellence and distinguished herself as a dedicated student.

In 1971, Deborah graduated from George Westinghouse Area Vocational High School in Chicago, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She continued her studies at North Park College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1975. She later followed her passion for caregiving, graduating from the South Chicago Community Hospital School of Nursing in 1982.

Deborah went on to build a distinguished career as a Registered Nurse spanning more than 30 years, dedicating her life to compassionate service and the care of others.

Deborah was united in marriage to Earnest Tolbert from 1983 to 1991. From this union, two daughters were born, Joni and Jasmineka. During this time, the family relocated from Chicago, Illinois, to Augusta, Georgia, where Deborah advanced her career in nursing, becoming a certified Psychiatric and Mental Health nurse in 1990. While in Augusta, she served with dedication at several institutions, including The Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regional Correctional Facility, and Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Gordon, where she received a commendation for outstanding service as part of the Department of Nursing’s Joint Commission accreditation preparation team.

In 1996, Deborah moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, to be closer to her brothers. There, she deepened her faith and commitment to ministry at First Community African Methodist Episcopal Church, serving as an armor bearer to the pastor, delivering a trial sermon, and later being elevated to Evangelist. She was devoted to nurturing young minds through her work in Children’s Church.

Throughout her life, Deborah remained actively engaged in civic matters. She corresponded with national leaders during the administrations of Lyndon B. Johnson and Barack Obama. In her retirement years after returning to Augusta, devoted her time to voter registration efforts and participation in local government meetings. A passionate advocate for consumer rights, she consistently used her voice and her pen to seek accountability, reaching out to companies, the state attorney general, and the Federal Trade Commission when needed.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Dave Carde Sr. and Bessie Lee Avery, brothers, Larry Carde Sr. and Keith Carde, and sister-in-law, Jonnie Carde.

Deborah leaves her daughters, Joni Tolbert and Jasmineka Caldwell (David); brothers, David Carde Jr. and Gilbert Carde (Magalie Desilien); grandchildren, Xavier Tolbert, Simone Caldwell, and Eva Caldwell; nieces, Dorian (Stan), Samantha, LeAnna (Steve), and nephews, Larry (Valerie), Jeremiah, and Benjamin; and a host of extended family and friends to cherish her memory.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 30 at 4:00 PM at Platt’s Funeral Home at 337 North Belair Road, Evans, Georgia 30809. For those who cannot attend in person, you are invited to join virtually at https://together.oneroomstreaming.com/KKYXYY.

Arrangements were provided by Platt's Funeral Home, 337 N. Belair Road, Evans, GA 30809 (706) 860-6166. Please take a moment to share your condolences by signing the online guestbook at plattsfuneralhome.com.