Katie Anne Deal English's Obituary
Our Beloved Katie Anne Deal English, age 45, passed away unexpectedly in her home office on February 16th, 2023. She was born at Fisherman’s Hospital on August 4, 1977, in Marathon, Florida to Jaqueline Carter Davis.
From an early age, she was an ambitious adventurer who had a passion for always exploring, learning, and living life to its fullest. Katie graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Development at the University of Florida. She was a loud and proud Florida Gator. She believed life was made to THRIVE not just survive.
Katie was everyone’s best friend, yet you thought you were the only one. She was our pool shark and grill master. Her cooking from the heart and annual Chili cookoff will never be forgotten. She was a risk taker who would convince you to go skydiving out of a perfectly good airplane. She never missed a chance to go flying, ziplining, dancing, boating, karaoke, and even dirt biking. Don’t invite her and Jackie to play card games without asking for her homemade mojitos first. (even that aint gonna help ya win). She was always there to protect her loved ones. She was a good shot with a shotgun rifle and handgun. She lived in several places as a child including the Florida Keys and an 858-acre ranch. Her grandfather was a dairy farmer. On the ranch, they played chase with their dog Bill and their pet deer, Charlie.
She lived most of her adult life in the Atlanta metro area looking for her soul mate and man of God, but she found Stewart, her beloved puggle. Katie was a strong, independent, and virtuous woman with a wonder lust to explore. She traveled to Washington, DC, Egypt, and Mexico by herself. She married her best friend and love, Daniel English June 13, 2016. They traveled together to Paris, Italy, Greece, and other locations. She was the kind of woman who made funny faces in front of “The” Mona Lisa. Ask Daniel, he has a picture to prove it!
She had the heart to love beyond all understanding when no one else could. The love of Jesus was always shown through her. She met people when they were in dark places and loved them through it. She would sit and listen. She had the courage to be your accountability partner and still support you or encourage you to do the right thing. She would pick up the phone and invite you to lunch just to let you know she loved you.
Her biggest goal and most important mission in life was to be a Mom. Above all, she treasured her children and embraced every moment with them. She was the kind of Mom who chased her babies IN the ball pit while other mothers stood around. She still had the spirit of a child who splashed water in the pool and made bath time fun. I hope they always remember the morning song. She carefully guided them to know and trust Jesus even at this early age. She loved crafting and sewing handmade clothes for her children. She inherited this talent from her Grandma Carter Kimball. Katie shared her love by baking gluten-free cookies and cakes for her children, family, as well as friends and neighbors who are now chosen family. She was always exercising and trying new ways to live life. She was known as the Lioness Mom always protecting her baby cubs.
Ambitious Katie was a serial entrepreneur who loved real estate. For many years Katie worked at Abbott Healthcare as a Sr Recruiter and Talent Acquisition Specialist. It suited her servant's heart. She said she did it because it was her calling to show the world there can always be more love. She was a ray of sunshine and made a difference in so many people’s lives. Katie is still known today as “the Purple Squirrel Lady” in the Sourcecon and Global TA community. At industry conferences, she randomly gave away purple squirrels to anyone who taught her something new.
This Bible verse is how Katie lived her life — “Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not boast. Love is not proud. Love does not dishonor others. Love is not self-seeking. Love is not easily angered. Love keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil. Love rejoices with the truth. Love always protects. Love always trusts. Love always hopes. Love always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
Katie is survived by her husband, Daniel English, and their four children Mathew, Elizabeth “God’s Promise”, Kody, and Kyle English (finance’ Amber Martin) who recently welcomed their 1st born grandchild, Miss Saria Erin English; mother and father Jacqueline and Gary Davis; mother-in-law and father-in-law Cheryl and Gary English; brother David Deal (Amanda); sister Jessica Ridens; brother Daniel Carter Deal (Coleen); brother-in-law Joseph English (Trisha); and brother-in-law David English (Mary). 19 nieces, 3 nephews, 3 great-nieces, 1 great-nephew, and maybe 100 cousins and second cousins.
Preceded in death by her dad Carl Deal JR, brother Carl “Deal” III, and sister Cathy Lee Langley — all of these she loved and touched deeply.
The family will receive friends on Friday, February 24, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. at Williams Thomas Funeral Home West area located at 823 Northwest 143rd Street Newberry, Florida. A Celebration of Katie’s Life will immediately follow beginning at 6:00 pm and will be led by Eric Gilbert.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to https://gofund.me/ad27d4ea
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