Deborah Nunley Winters

Deborah Nunley Winters, business, civic, and community leader passed away Thursday, January 1, 2026 in Louisville at The University of Louisville-Jewish Hospital following a brief illness. She was 74.

Born in Owensboro, a daughter of James Charles “J.C.” May and Geneva A. Rowan May, Deborah was a graduate of Daviess County High School and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Western Kentucky University. Throughout her lifetime she was a proud and devoted Owensboroan, committed to making this community and its citizens the best they could be.

Her career in real estate began in 1977 and culminated as co-owner and president of Golden Ventures, Inc, a real estate investment company. Deborah was the former co-owner and president of Century 21 Partners.

A past chair of the Owensboro Board of Realtors, Deborah was recognized by her peers as the 1998 and 1981 Realtor of the Year. In 2007 she was the Board’s recipient of the Pinnacle Award for Distinguished Service from the Owensboro Board of Realtors.

Deborah was extraordinarily committed to supporting organizations working to improve the quality of life for the people of Owensboro and Daviess County. The many organizations for which she served as chair include the Owensboro Daviess County Chamber of Commerce, and The Western Kentucky University Owensboro Campus Advisory Board.

She further served as chair of the Owensboro Property Maintenance Code Appeals Board, the Owensboro Civic, Cultural, and Economic Development Commission, and the Owensboro Streetscape 2000 Board.

Deborah’s directorships included service on the boards of the Owensboro Medical Health System where she was chair, the Elizabeth Munday Senior Center, the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra and chair of the OSO Auxiliary, Leadership Owensboro, Owensboro-Daviess County Industry, Inc., and the Kentucky Early Childhood Education Business Council. Further leadership positions included board membership of the Kentucky Museum of Arts and Design, and Owensboro Junior Achievement.

In 2012 Deborah ran for a seat on the Owensboro City Commission. Having received the most votes, she was sworn in as Mayor Pro Tem in 2013. She was elected to another term and served through 2016.

Deborah was awarded the Athena Award in 2002 by Girl’s Inc, and recognized as the 1994 Woman of Achievement by the Business and Professional Women’s organization. She was a graduate of both Leadership Owensboro and Leadership Kentucky.

An active member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Deborah served as a Junior Warden, Lector, and member of the Finance Committee and the Altar Guild.

Deborah's final gift was that of being a Donor Hero bringing a better life to several recipients.

She was preceded in death by her father, James Charles “J.C.” May; a sister, Sharon May Johnson and her beloved dog, “Mojo”.

Deborah is survived by her husband, Ronald G. Winters; her mother, Geneva A. Rowan May; sisters, Susan Taylor-Drach (Keith) and Karon M. Greenwell (Patrick); stepchildren, Adam Winters, Holly Williams (Greg), Bryan Nunley (Stacy) and Benjamin Nunley; grandchildren, Jonathon Nunley (Anne), Jordan Williams, Blake Williams (Megan), Nicholas Nunley, Catherine Nunley-Morris (Justin), Mary Elizabeth Nunley, Abigail Nunley, Benjamin Nunley II and Sophie Nunley; four great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Paige Taylor, Allison Taylor (David), Matthew Taylor (Larielle), Charles Patrick Greenwell (Kennedy), Paul “P.J.” May-Johnson (Emily), Charles “Chase” May-Johnson, Justin Drach (Mary) and Jason Drach (Heather); and special cousins, Linda Henning (Van) and Patty Sumner Wells (Andy).

The funeral service will be held at 12:00 PM, Monday, January 12 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Owensboro. Visitation will be Sunday, January 11, from 1:00 until 6:00 PM, at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory and Monday from 10:00 AM until the time of service at Trinity Episcopal Church. Burial will be at Rosehill Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Trinity Episcopal Church, 720 Ford Avenue, Owensboro, KY 42301.

Memories and condolences may be offered online at www.glennfuneralhome.com.