A memorial service celebrating the life of Deborah
“Debbie” Annette Willis, 49, will be held at 1 p.m. on July 30 in the East Leesville Baptist Church Sanctuary with Brother Jerry Keys officiating.
Debbie was born on April 10, 1964, in Fort Rucker, Ala., and made her journey home on July
24, 2013. She was the beloved and cherished wife for over 30 years to David L. Willis of Leesville, originally from Unicoi, Tenn. Besides her husband, David, Debbie leaves her son, Dillon J. Willis of Leesville; and sisters, Simone N. Curtis and
Christina “Chicki” of Leesville. Debbie also leaves behind her stepdaughter, Amanda N. Willis Runnels and stepson, Dustin P. Willis, both of Conroe, Texas. Debbie was the daughter of Luzie B. and Ret. Command Sgt. Maj. Clyde D. Curtis of Leesville.
Debbie also leaves behind her beloved nephew, David A. Hayes, son of Brian L. Hayes and Chicki of Leesville; and grandson, Mason Franklin Runnels, son of Amanda, of Conroe, Texas.
Debbie worked as a pharmacy technician for the Bayne-Jones
Army Community Hospital (BJACH) located at Fort Polk for over 10 years before she medically retired in 2004 due to illness. She loved her job and took pride in her ability to do it well, as it gave her the opportunity to meet people. Debbie knew no
stranger and the gift to “gab” and talking was her calling in life. Upon retirement, she focused her heart and soul in the care of her daughter Moriah P. Willis who passed on April 6, 2013, due to an eight-year battle with cancer. Both mother and
daughter are now united in heaven.
Debbie was a unique and fun loving person who had many hobbies during her life. She enjoyed her enormous collection of plants, she was passionate about horses, and took special pride in taking care of her
house so that everyone who entered knew it was a home. She loved fashion, beauty and decorating, and was especially fond of Princess Diana, who gave her great inspiration. Her love for music spanned a wide range of styles from R&B, bluegrass,
pop, and just about anything you could imagine. Her daughter, Moriah, was an avid dancer, attending the Joan Kathey Dance Center, and also a member of the Golden Cavalier dance line in high school. There was never a dance recital missed or a moment
left uncaptured supporting her daughter’s dreams. Her son Dillon, who the family affectionately calls “Dill Boy” and loves video games and kung-fu, gave his mother unconditional love and support. He would tell you that no one knew him better than his
“Mom.” Debbie was a camera buff and has hundreds and hundreds of photos documenting her life with her husband, her children, whom she loved most dearly and anyone else who happened to get caught in the picture. The family pet, a schnauzer named
“Misty” (aka Woo-Woo) was nearest to her heart since it was given to her daughter Moriah, when she was first diagnosed with cancer. Debbie will be terribly missed by her two sisters, Simone and Chicki because she was the sister who helped complete
the “circle of sisters.” Debbie leaves behind relatives, near and far, family, friends, especially close loving friendships too numerous to count. She considered each and every one dear to her heart and loved everyone with compassion beyond
compare.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the “Moriah Willis Scholarship Foundation,” to be awarded to a LHS Graduate at the Merchant and Farmers Bank, Leesville, LA 71446 or to the Willis family at the Barksdale
Federal Credit Union,
Words of comfort may be expressed to the Willis Family at www.labbymemorial.com.