Debra (Debbie) Deanne Dennis was born on October 7th, 1967 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Debbie passed from this life on May 21st, 2021 after a very hard-fought battle of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).

She grew up in Muskogee where she attended school. Debbie learned the piano at the age of four and began playing in her local church, Calvary Baptist Church at ten years old. Debbie was the pianist at Muskogee High School where she was awarded the top-rated Oklahoma All-State pianist. After graduation, Debbie attended Northeastern State University where she was heavily involved. Debbie was a member of Campus Christian Fellowship, NSU music department, and was the runner-up in the Miss Northeastern Pageant where she was reunited with the love of her life, Steve Dennis. During her career at NSU, Debbie was awarded the honor of playing a private concert for President Ford and Miss America, Anita Bryant. Debbie graduated NSU with a Bachelor's in Elementary Education and continued to get her Master's in School Administration. Debbie began her career in Muskogee at Creek Elementary School. She continued her teaching career in Hartshorne Public Schools, McAlester Public Schools, Checotah Public Schools, and the Oklahoma State Department of Education. She returned to Muskogee Public Schools and served as a Reach Coach, Principal of Irving Elementary, and ended her career at the BEST center leading professional development. Debbie served alongside her husband, Steve, in ministry for many years. Debbie loved serving in women's ministry and playing piano at her local church, Checotah First Baptist. Debbie was a mother of six children, Hayden, Hillary, Hannah, Hunter, Holden, and Harrison and the grandmother of Blakelie, Zylan, Teagan, Jasmine, and Henry.

Debbie is preceded in death by Gene and Helen Coolbaugh (grandparents), Albert and Hazel Hunt (grandparents), Don Hunt (father), Holden and Harrison Dennis (sons).

Debbie is survived by Steve Dennis (husband), Jeanette Hunt-Kleeman (mother), Howard Kleeman (step-father), Donna and Rick Moore (sister and brother-in-law), Hayden and Emily Dennis (son and daughter-in-law), Hillary and Colt Wood (daughter and son-in-law), Hannah and Kyle Bacon (daughter and son-in-law), Hunter and Jake Roberts (daughter and son-in-law), Blakelie, Zylan, Teagan, and Jasmine Wood (grandchildren) and Henry Rush Bacon (grandchild) and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Viewing will be from 9AM to 6PM on Tuesday, May 25, 2021. Services celebrating the life of Debbie will be held at 1 PM on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at First Baptist Church with Reverend's Alan Quigley and Ron Forrest officiating.

Committal prayers and interment will follow in Three Rivers Cemetery under the personal direction of John Garrett. Todd King, Louie Ashley, Tony Daniels, Tony O'Bannon, Willis George, Eugene Blair, Carl Gene Drake and Mark Morris will serve as Casket Bearers. Robert Jennings, Greg Brown, Jerry Longcrier, Jerry Faught, Richard Shelton, Larry Jennings, Donnie Condit, CR Harris, Andy Blizzard and Jim Davis will serve as Honorary Casket Bearers.

As you celebrate the life of Debbie, flowers are welcome or you may send a memorial in her memory to ALS Worldwide 1800 N. Prospect Avenue, Suite 4B Milwaukee, WI 53202.

You may share online condolences with Debbie's family at www.garrettfamilyfuneralhome.com.

The family of Debra Deanne Dennis entrusted her care, services and burial to John & Kim Garrett and the dedicated staff of Garrett Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service 311 SW 2nd Checotah, OK 74426 (918) 473-2244.