Deborah "Debby" Gum, 51, of Lubbock, Texas, died Saturday, Dec. 18, at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock.
    She was born Dec. 20, 1952, in Manhattan. A graduate of Manhattan High School, she earned degrees in cello performance from Kansas State University and the University of Arizona.
    She married Brian Gum on Sept. 3, 1977, in Wheeling, W.Va. She performed as a cellist in various musical organizations, including the Lubbock Symphony, Meridian Symphony, Mobile Opera, Meridian Symphony Trio and Trillium Trio.
    Her extensive teaching career included positions at Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony, and most recently, the Meridian public schools and the Lubbock ISD. She was past president of the Orchestra Division of Mississippi Music Educators Association and of Mississippi Unit of American String Teachers Association.ÿShe was also an accomplished organist and pianist, having served as organist and choirmaster at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Meridian, Miss. She was a member of the Diocesan Commission on Music and Liturgy, Diocese of Mississippi, and participated in Cursillo.
    Survivors include her husband Brian of Lubbock; her parents, Kenneth and Maxine Burkhard of Manhattan; sisters Lynda Kraus of Lubbock, Vicki Nurre and husband Patrick of Seattle, Wash., and Kathy Lansdowne and husband David of Hutchinson; and nine nephews and nieces.
    A memorial service will be 4 p.m. Tuesday at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, preceded by an organ recital at 3:30 p.m.
    In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Deborah Gum Scholarship, Texas Tech University, Office of Institutional Advancement, P.O. Box 41081, Lubbock, TX 79409.
    Resthaven Funeral Home of Lubbock, Texas, is in charge of arrangements.

obituary from The Manhattan Mercury