Debra Jo Williams

Warm. Kind. Funny. Sweet. Beautiful. All appropriately describe our beloved Debra Jo Williams. Arrival ~ November 16, 1954 Ascent ~ November 10, 2022

From the day of her birth, November 16, 1954, in Memphis, Texas to the delight of her now late parents, Eva Mae Steptoe [Hayes] and Frankie Joe Steptoe, their baby girl grew to captivate the hearts of her entire family and just about everyone she would encounter throughout her life.

While growing up in the Texas panhandle in the city of Amarillo, whether with teachers or among classmates during her primary and middle school years at Hilltop Elementary and Travis Junior High or as an energetic adolescent who excelled in clubs and fun activities and experiences with peers and close friends rounding out her secondary education at Palo Duro High School, Debra was known for being sweet-spirited, lots of fun to be around, and always wanting things to be as well for others as could ever possibly be for herself at any given time.

As Debra matured into an emerging adult, she became a bright light in the hometown community she loved serving in a voluntary capacity at her faith fellowship, New Hope Baptist Church, as well as with various organizations and outreaches in an effort to promote and advance the causes and interests most meaningful to African American people in the city and surrounding region. Wherever she had influence, she made an impact. The community in turn, reciprocated the admiration in the form of support and honor as she was crowned Miss Black Amarillo in 1973.

Debra later married and eventually assumed her most cherished and prominent role in life as she became a mother to her greatest loves, eldest daughter, Tonya D. Williams Leach and youngest daughter, Uvonda N. Williams. Together with her girls, Debra would forge life anew in relocation from Texas to Manhattan, Kansas where for more than twenty years she touched the lives of another community of co-workers, neighbors, and friends all while working in hospitality related service positions and being tirelessly devoted to rearing her girls.

In 2006, Debra returned to Texas, settling in Desoto where she employed with Desoto Independent School District and most recently, Park Village Healthcare and Rehabilitation until her retirement in mid-2021.

An ultimate effort and goal of hers was that of caring for her family, especially the grandchildren that were her absolute pride and joy! They were her world and she made sure everybody knew that was the case! Grandma Debbie was the truth!

On November 10, 2022, after the blessing and beauty of a life well lived, compassion shown for others, and being an extraordinary human-being, releasing Debra in love, reflection and remembrance are her Family in Earth:
Daughters: Tonya and Uvonda; Grandchildren: Jas’Zeri Williams Aguirre (Trey), Ra’Nyia Leach, LaTearious Williams, Dakota Durgin, Jeremiah Williams; Great-Grandchildren: Jaliee Aguirre, Ever Aguirre; Brothers: Edwin Wilson, Bobby Steptoe (Deborah), Rodney Steptoe; Sisters: Doris Steptoe, Dixie Steptoe, Michelle Taylor, Tracy Hayes, Danielle Morris, Isabelle Hayes; Sisters-in-love: Betty Winston, Mia Williams; Cherished lifelong friends: Kathy Butler Wooten, Stella Jernigan; Dear friends Connie Jackson, Frances Williams; Goddaughters: Chelcia Bender-Spicer, Eureka Arceneaux; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Receiving Debra in love, rejoicing and reward are her Family in Heaven:
Parents: Eva Steptoe [Hayes], Frankie Steptoe; Stepfather Joe Hayes; Grandparents: Willie B. Anderson, Virgil Anderson, Tom Henry Taylor, Rebecca Steptoe, “Buddy” Steptoe; Brothers: Charles Steptoe, Dennis Hayes, Glenn Hayes; Sisters: Willie D. Steptoe, Vickie Moore, Janice Steptoe; Cherished lifelong friend Wanda Faye Beavers; a host of other relatives.