Deborah K. LaBud's Obituary
Mrs. Deborah LaBud “Debbie” of Micanopy FL went Home to the Lord on March 27th, 2026, at Shands Hospital in Gainesville FL, Peacefully, Surrounded by Family. She was born on February 24th, 1955, in Paducah, Kentucky to Charles H. Oakley Sr and Maxine Oakley. She Graduated from Howey-in-the-Hills and later obtained a degree in data-processing and put it to use working in an office doing just that, before finding a passion as a server for Red Lobster for 11 years. “Debbie” would be forced to leave the work force after being diagnosed with Alpha-1, Antitrypsin Deficiency, a rare genetic lung disease, but would not let this dissuade her however, and she became the leader of an Alpha-1 support group for the Alpha-1 foundation. Debbie received the gift of life from Christina Giacobbi with a single lung transplant on November 22nd, 2001, and immediately began to put her second chance of life to use by traveling the world and dumping countless tireless hours into her work and family. Debbie then became a volunteer at LifeQuest (Organ Procurement) as an ambassador, where she would join with Tom Telford (also a lung transplant) and many more to raise funds for the University of Florida transplant center. After some trips to Tallahassee, The state of Florida awarded a one-million-dollar grant to UF to establish a fund for research focused on chronic rejection. Deborah went to work for LifeSouth Community Blood Center in 2005 and worked as a donor recruiter for eleven years. In March of 2005, she married the love of her Life Tony LaBud, who would stick by her side through it all, and help her to weather any storm. Deborah was a super-athlete for the Transplant Olympics and has won several awards for the state of Florida in several competitions over the years, organized tons of fund raisers for the Alpha- 1 foundation and selflessly put others first. In 2017, Debbie would begin to have issues regarding her opposing lung, but wouldn't let this diminish her warrior spirit, and was awarded another single lung transplant later that year. In 2021 she received a job at AlphaNet as an AlphaNet Coordinator, something she was very passionate about. She was all about Alphas helping Alphas and felt her purpose on Earth was to help others. Deborah loved family time, traveling, crafting, fund-raising, raising awareness for organ donation, blood donation, Alpha-1, and was a die-hard Gator fan. She is Proceeded in death by her parents, Charles H. Oakley Sr and Maxine Oakley. Sister, Dixie Lee Oakley. Brother, Charles H Oakley Jr. She is survived by her husband Tony LaBud. Daughter, Amber Simmons (Thomas Simmons). Daughter, Michelle Bradley. Son, Corry Bradley (Stacey Bradley). Brother, Stephen Oakley. Grand Children, David, Steven, Joey, Kenny, Jordan, Caleb, Zeke. A plethora of Great Grand Kids, nephews, nieces extended family and friends.
The Celebration of Life will be on April 18th at 2pm at Williams- Thomas Funeral Home Westarea in Jonesville, Florida
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Alpha-1 Foundation by visiting www.alpha1.org/donate or by sending mail to the following address: Alpha-1 Foundation, 3300 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, FL 33134 in honor of Deborah Labud
What’s your fondest memory of Deborah?
What’s a lesson you learned from Deborah?
Share a story where Deborah's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Deborah you’ll never forget.
How did Deborah make you smile?