Deborah Jean Kingsberry, 68, of Charlotte departed this life on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at Carolinas Continue Care Hospital in Charlotte, NC.

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of one of TRIO Program's trailblazers, Miss Deborah Jean Kingsberry, on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at Atrium's Carolina Continue Care Hospital in Pineville, NC.

Ms.  Kingsberry was born to the late Velma Jean Kingsberry and Roosevelt Henry Kingsberry in South Bend, Indiana on April 25, 1956.  "Debbie", as she was affectionately called, graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1974 in South Bend, Indiana.  Later, she received her undergraduate degrees in Social Work and Criminal Justice and Corrections from Ball State University, as well as a Master's Degree in Human Services Administration from Indiana University.  Consequently, Ms. Kingsberry had over 40 years of diversified professional experience in educational, governmental and private industries. These institutions include the YMCA Women's Shelter, CETA ST. Joseph County Job Training Program, St. Joseph County Community Based Corrections, all in South Bend, Indiana, as well as Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC.

In 2010, she continued to author many Department of Education's TRIO grants and established the Academic Institute of Central Carolina (A.I.C.C.).  Under her leadership as Executive Director, A.I.C.C. expanded to oversee four TRIO programs including two Upward Bound Programs, Educational Talent Search and Educational Opportunity Centers Programs serving more than 1,700 participants annually.  Ms. Kingsberry was well known in the TRIO Community and became a lecturer and trainer in her own right.  She began her TRIO experience as an Upward Bound student while still in high school in South Bend.  She often called herself "the poster child" for TRIO having shared her story on local and national stages over the years.

Ms. Kingsberry had a keen understanding of the challenges that many young people face.  And she worked tirelessly to ensure that these students not only dreamed of a college education but also had the resources and encouragement to achieve it.  As a two-term president of the North Carolina Council of Educational Opportunity Programs (NCCEOP), Ms. Kingsberry advocated at the highest levels, championing initiatives that influenced students across the state.

Her passion for academic success extended beyond North Carolina.  From 2009 to 2015, she led the Academic Achievement Academy, a tutoring company that brought critical support to low-performing schools in over 25 districts across North and South Carolina. Whether it was through tutoring or one-on-one mentorship, Ms. Kingsberry believed that every student deserved a chance to reach their fullest potential, and she worked to ensure they had the tools to succeed.  Ms. Kingsbury's passing is a tremendous loss to those who knew her, and she will be remembered for her dedication to education and her involvement and commitment to the students in Mecklenburg County.

Debbie loved to travel having traveled extensively throughout the United States and many countries abroad, both professionally and for pleasure.  She was also a collector of "Betty Boop" paraphernalia and played a tough hand in "Bid Whist".  Ms. Kingsberry was fun-loving, easy to get along with and always went out of her way to help others in need.  An humble servant, her life's work is a testament to her belief that "God has blessed me in immeasurable ways so that I can, in return, bless and help others!"

She leaves to mourn her passing:  one sister, Diane Kingsberry (Laretha) of Hickory, NC; two brothers, Ricardo Kingsberry and Christopher Kingsberry (Mari), all of Hickory, NC; God-daughter, Taleah Meadows of Charlotte, NC; special "fur babies", Kodak and Kalie; special friends, Dr. L. Denise White, of Reidsville, NC and Prince Teal of Dallas, TX, Linda Johnson and Joy Carpenter, both of South Bend, IN; staff of Academic Institute of Central Carolina, Incorporated; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and dear friends.