Debbie Redding
August 9, 1954 - October 8, 2022
Debra Sue “Debbie” Redding passed peacefully and gracefully on Saturday, October 08, 2022, with her loving daughter at her side. Debbie was born August 9, 1954, to Ralph and Barbara (Friesen) Stoltzfus in Falfurrias, Texas. She was preceded in death by her father, Ralph Stoltzfus; grandparents Herbert and Olga Friesen and Lovina Stoltzfus and Aaron and Edna Stoltzfus.
She is survived by daughter Melody and son-in-law Jason; grandchildren Noah and Aubrey, who were the joy of her life; mother Barbara Stoltzfus; sister Kathy and brother-in-law Homer Recio; nieces Melina (Daniel) Padilla and Ceci Recio; nephew Lukas (Allie) Recio; great-nephew Mateo Recio; and numerous aunts and cousins.
Debbie brought much joy to her parents. Her mother says she thought she and her father were happy until Debbie was born; they knew true happiness then. She grew up on her parent’s farm/ranch outside of Premont, where she was “her father’s daughter,” enjoying the outdoors and animals, including horses and cattle. She was active in 4-H herself and later as the mother of a very active 4-Her.
Debbie graduated from Premont High School in 1972 and Texas A&I University in 1976. After several years working in retail, she became an educator in Falfurrias ISD for 20+ years, teaching 7th-grade science classes. She filled many additional roles, including UIL sponsor, Science Department Head, Cheerleader Sponsor, and probably her favorite role, Student Council sponsor. As one former student described, Debbie “made a lasting impact,” recognizing students’ potential with “positive thoughts” toward them and their futures. She would later volunteer at Noah and Aubrey’s schools every Thursday for 2 years. When able, she drove the “Gigi” pool, taking her grandchildren to and from school and neighbors and friends.
In 2009, Debbie was inducted into the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, an honor Society of Professional Women Educators, and was an active member of the Beta Pi Chapter in Alice. In 2014, Debbie became a chartered member of the Mu Omega Chapter in Premont and merged back to Beta Pi in 2022. She served on many committees while in Beta Pi, including Recording Secretary. While in Mu Omega, Debbie served as chapter president for several bienniums.
Debbie served on the Jim Wells County Fair Board for almost 30 years, first as Melody participated in the Fair. She continued serving long after Melody was out of school due to her love of the “job.” October was always busy because it was “Fair month.”
In 2013, Debbie was honored as the Jim Wells County Fair Parade Marshall.
Debbie was a member of the First Baptist Church in Premont, where she served as a pianist for many years. Upon moving north to live full-time with her family, she attended various churches in the San Antonio area. She has been described as a “faithful friend to those blessed to know her”-who else would drive 3 hours to play Bunco with her Premont gang only to turn around and drive 3 hours home?
Debbie was a “peaceful warrior.” Her family prayed and hoped she would win her final battle, but it was not to-be. She was not alone in this journey. She was supported in her tough decision not to continue treatment by her family and her Heavenly Father, who awaited her with open arms.
There are many ways we ask you to remember Debbie. She loved Psalms 23, The Lord is my Shephard…and the poem “Footprints.” She loved sunsets. You can join her grandchildren in thinking of her, as she asked; think of me when you see a rainbow, cardinal, or butterfly.
Debbie specifically requested that, in lieu of flowers, any donation be made to the Jim Wells County Fair Association or your local Communities in Education organization. Selfless to the very end…..
“Love doesn’t die; people do, so when all that’s left of me is love…give me away”. – Merrit Malloy
www.colonialuniversal.com
She is survived by daughter Melody and son-in-law Jason; grandchildren Noah and Aubrey, who were the joy of her life; mother Barbara Stoltzfus; sister Kathy and brother-in-law Homer Recio; nieces Melina (Daniel) Padilla and Ceci Recio; nephew Lukas (Allie) Recio; great-nephew Mateo Recio; and numerous aunts and cousins.
Debbie brought much joy to her parents. Her mother says she thought she and her father were happy until Debbie was born; they knew true happiness then. She grew up on her parent’s farm/ranch outside of Premont, where she was “her father’s daughter,” enjoying the outdoors and animals, including horses and cattle. She was active in 4-H herself and later as the mother of a very active 4-Her.
Debbie graduated from Premont High School in 1972 and Texas A&I University in 1976. After several years working in retail, she became an educator in Falfurrias ISD for 20+ years, teaching 7th-grade science classes. She filled many additional roles, including UIL sponsor, Science Department Head, Cheerleader Sponsor, and probably her favorite role, Student Council sponsor. As one former student described, Debbie “made a lasting impact,” recognizing students’ potential with “positive thoughts” toward them and their futures. She would later volunteer at Noah and Aubrey’s schools every Thursday for 2 years. When able, she drove the “Gigi” pool, taking her grandchildren to and from school and neighbors and friends.
In 2009, Debbie was inducted into the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, an honor Society of Professional Women Educators, and was an active member of the Beta Pi Chapter in Alice. In 2014, Debbie became a chartered member of the Mu Omega Chapter in Premont and merged back to Beta Pi in 2022. She served on many committees while in Beta Pi, including Recording Secretary. While in Mu Omega, Debbie served as chapter president for several bienniums.
Debbie served on the Jim Wells County Fair Board for almost 30 years, first as Melody participated in the Fair. She continued serving long after Melody was out of school due to her love of the “job.” October was always busy because it was “Fair month.”
In 2013, Debbie was honored as the Jim Wells County Fair Parade Marshall.
Debbie was a member of the First Baptist Church in Premont, where she served as a pianist for many years. Upon moving north to live full-time with her family, she attended various churches in the San Antonio area. She has been described as a “faithful friend to those blessed to know her”-who else would drive 3 hours to play Bunco with her Premont gang only to turn around and drive 3 hours home?
Debbie was a “peaceful warrior.” Her family prayed and hoped she would win her final battle, but it was not to-be. She was not alone in this journey. She was supported in her tough decision not to continue treatment by her family and her Heavenly Father, who awaited her with open arms.
There are many ways we ask you to remember Debbie. She loved Psalms 23, The Lord is my Shephard…and the poem “Footprints.” She loved sunsets. You can join her grandchildren in thinking of her, as she asked; think of me when you see a rainbow, cardinal, or butterfly.
Debbie specifically requested that, in lieu of flowers, any donation be made to the Jim Wells County Fair Association or your local Communities in Education organization. Selfless to the very end…..
“Love doesn’t die; people do, so when all that’s left of me is love…give me away”. – Merrit Malloy
www.colonialuniversal.com