Green Meadows Cemetery

Atoka, Atoka County, Oklahoma

© Brown's Funeral Service - Atoka, Ok
Submitted by: Terry Dudley

Deborah (Debbie) Ann Stephens Brown

July 18, 1949 ~ March 30, 2025

Deborah "Debbie" Ann Brown, age 75, a longtime Tishomingo, OK resident, formerly of Atoka, OK and Durant, OK. She was born on Monday, July 18, 1949, to Jack Lee and Donna Louise (McClung) Stephens, at Hobart, OK. Debbie passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 30, 2025 at her home in Tishomingo, OK. She graduated from Madill High School with the class of 1967. Debbie was a business owner. She was co-owner of a convenience store, The Handi-Shop, for over 30 years, which was a very special time in her life. Tishomingo people and everybody in the surrounding areas got to know just how good of a cook Debbie was. She loved connecting and building lifelong friendships with all the kids and people she employed there. Debbie often talked about how being behind the counter, greeting customers and friends, at the store was her happy place. She then went on to help build and operate Brown's Funeral Service in Atoka and Durant with Eddie Brown. Debbie enjoyed being a part of the day to day operations and often got forced by Eddie to write for him due to her pretty handwriting. She just loved having to live at the funeral home and hear the phone ring all night! Debbie cherished all the staff she worked with and relationships she built at Atoka and Durant. Later on she then went to work part time at the Hampton Inn in Durant and then later worked part time at Lakeway Gas Station. Debbie loved all of the friendships she made while working in Durant and Atoka and talked about her coworkers often. She married Eddie Brown on July 12, 1967 and somehow put up with him for over 38 years. and had two children. Debbie was a member of Tishomingo First Baptist Church for the early years and later at Atoka First Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School. She had an eye for decorating and made beautiful crafts, enjoyed meeting and visiting with people everywhere she went. She loved being with her children and grandchildren and any kid she would get ahold of. Being a nanny was truly her favorite thing in the world. She loved her sweet dog Mitzi, until she passed, and her kitty Louise.

Debbie is survived by her daughter, Laura L. Miller and husband Tomie of Atoka, OK; son, Todd Brown of Atoka, OK; grandchildren, Devon Brown of Durant, OK, Cheyenne Axsom of Tishomingo, OK, Grayson Axsom of Atoka, OK; siblings, Jack L. Stephens of Florida, Sandy L. Powers of Durant, OK, Mike Stephens of Mead, OK; 2 special children in her life, Brandi Kirkman of Franklin, IN, Baylin Wood of Tishomingo, OK; aunt, Betty Sparks of Cordell, OK; father of her children, Eddie Brown and current wife Dawn of Atoka, OK; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear and loved friends.

Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Donna Louise (McClung) Stephens; sister, Lana Jean Kroft; son in law, Chad Ford Axsom; step dad, James "Bud" Atkinson; brother in law, Dan Powers; beloved fur babies, Maggie, Mitzie, Sylvester, Thelma plus many more; along with numerous aunts, uncles and extended family.

DATE OF SERVICES: 01:00 PM Saturday, April 5th, 2025
PLACE OF SERVICES: Tishomingo First Baptist Church, Tishomingo, Oklahoma
OFFICIATING: Bro. Joey Lansdale
INTERMENT: Green Meadows Cemetery, Atoka, Oklahoma
CASKETBEARERS: Mike Lovett, Mitchell Reed, Teddy Clements, Devon Brown, Grayson Axsom, Alvin McCarthick
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: Baylin Wood, Jerry Lawley, Benny Lewis, Kevin Day, Richard Smith, Tommy Wrinkler, All Former Employees of The Handi-Shop and Brown's Funeral Service

CONDOLENCES MAY BE SENT TO THE FAMILY BY EMAIL TO: BROWNS@ATOKA.NET. PLEASE REFERENCE THE NAME OF THE DECEASED IN YOUR CORRESPONDENCE

FAMILY NIGHT IS FRIDAY 6-8PM TISHOMINGO FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

VIEWING IN ATOKA FROM NOON THURSDAY TO NOON FRIDAY