Deborah Mae Brown Baer, 75, of Lucasville, Ohio passed away July 8, 2026 at Adena Pike Hospice in Waverly, Ohio. She was the daughter of the late James Ray Brown and Lola Mae Adkins Brown. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Laura Elaine Baer, her grandparents, James Alton Brown, Daisy McCall Brown, Everett Adkins and Thelma Gillette Adkins. He in-laws, Robert and Virginia Oiler Baer, her brothers, James Everett and Richard Dale Brown; aunts and uncles, Truby and Zetta Brown Abbott, Carl and Bernice Brown Adkins, Charles and Cora Brown Jones, Howard and Wilma Brown Eckert, Carl and Mary Adkins Brown, Ralph and Doris Adkins Eichenlaub, Fred Burchett and Norman Abbott; and a double first cousin, Michael Brown.
She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Mark Robert Baer; her children and their spouses, Brian Mark and Heather Dawn Free Baer and Mick and Bethany Christine Baer Whitt; her grandchildren, Abigail Elaine Baer, Quentin and Haley Laura Whitt Williams, Noah James Whitt and Alexander Brian Baer; her brothers and their spouses, Gary and Cathy Brown and Scott and Rhonda Brown; her sister and husband, Gerald and Joy Penix; aunts and uncles, Fred and Bonnie Adkins Brown, Naomi Brown Abbott and Linda Adkins Burchett; plus many cousins including eight double first cousins.
Deborah was born February 21, 1951 on Adkins Hollow in Otway. She was a graduate of Otway Elementary, Northwest High School and attended Faith Bible Institute in Wheelersburg. She was called to preach in 1971 and was currently ordained by Beech Fork Church where she was a member.
As a teenager she taught Sunday School, directed holiday plays and was the church janitor. She first ministered in song with the Brown Trio. Later, she began preaching in revivals and continued that ministry with her cousin Phil Brown and later with Mark and her brother Gary. She was the assistant pastor at Beech Fork with Delbert Evans, then co-pastor there with Mark and later as pastor. Her total ministry at Beech Fork lasted 29 years. She was one of the most successful pastors in Southern Ohio. The church tripled in size and building projects included two progressively larger sanctuaries, a dining hall which now is Manna from Heaven Food Pantry, two storage units, a bus garage and a multipurpose building. She was one of the most beloved preachers and pastors. She always preached under the anointing of the Holy Spirit and was a pastor full of love and compassion. She preached several youth camps and camp meetings for the Christian Baptist Association and held positions on the Youth Board and World for Christ Mission Board.
After her retirement from Beech Fork she joined Mark attending Life Change Church and Rubyville Community Church to worship with her children and their families.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at Beech Fork Church with her son, Brian Baer and Pastor Tom Brown officiating. Her son-in-law, Mick Whitt will conduct the private family interment at Beech Fork Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Monday, July 13th and for one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, her favorite charities were Beech Fork Church and Manna from Heaven Food Pantry, both located at: 1847 State Rte 348, Otway, Ohio 45657; Life Change Church: 14837 State Rte 124, Piketon, Ohio 45661; and Rubyville Community Church: 5365 State Rte 139, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662.
