Deborah Nunley-Winters, a pioneering force in Owensboro’s real estate community and a longtime civic leader, died on January 1 in Louisville at the age of 74 following a brief illness. Friends, colleagues, and loved ones are remembering her as a trailblazer for women in business and a tireless advocate for her hometown.
Nunley-Winters launched her real estate career in 1977, eventually becoming co-owner and president of Century 21 Partners. She later co-led Golden Ventures, Inc., a real estate investment firm that included a property management division she continued to operate until her passing.
Brenda Lee, her business partner and close friend for more than four decades, said Nunley-Winters was “my other half.”
“She was always looking to grow, always encouraging others, and always trying to make things better,” Lee said. “She was caring, professional, and deeply committed to Owensboro. She was a mentor to many, including me. I grew in so many ways because of her.”
Nunley-Winters was widely recognized as one of the early female leaders in the Owensboro real estate industry. She was named Realtor of the Year in 1981 and again in 1998, and in 2007 received the Pinnacle Award for Distinguished Service from the Owensboro Board of Realtors.
“She really stood up for women in the industry,” said Glenn Ashby, past president of the Owensboro Realtors Association. “She mentored so many of us. There are countless agents who looked to her for guidance.”
Ashby noted that Nunley-Winters served as president of the local Realtors Association twice, in 1993 and 2004, and was among the earliest female leaders in the organization’s history.
Beyond her work in real estate, Nunley-Winters was deeply involved in public service and civic organizations. She served as chair of the Owensboro-Daviess County Chamber of Commerce, the Owensboro Streetscape 2000 Board, and the Owensboro Medical Health System, among others. In 2012, she was elected to the Owensboro City Commission and served as Mayor Pro Tem from 2013 through 2016.
Her long list of honors included the 2002 Athena Award from Girls Inc. and being named Woman of Achievement in 1994 by the Business and Professional Women’s organization. She was also a graduate of both Leadership Owensboro and Leadership Kentucky.
“Debbie loved her community,” Lee said. “She promoted what women could do and what they could accomplish. And she lived that out in everything she did.”
A devoted member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Nunley-Winters served in various leadership roles within the congregation. In her final act of service, she gave the gift of life as an organ donor.
She is survived by her husband, Ronald G. Winters; her mother, Geneva A. Rowan May; two sisters; four stepchildren; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation will be held Jan. 11 from 1-6 p.m. at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. The funeral service is scheduled for noon Jan. 12, at Trinity Episcopal Church, with additional visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow at Rosehill Cemetery.
