Debra Kaye Mayes

On Sunday, March 12th, 2023, Debra Kaye Mayes, loving wife, precious mother, and the World's Greatest Mammy, was called home to Jesus after a courageous and hard-fought battle with cancer.
Debbie was born June 22, 1957 in Livingston, Texas to parents Susie Tinney Woodard Ogden and Curtis Johnson Ogden. She inherited her love of music, entertainment, and the desire to make everyone laugh from her Daddy. She loved her Ogden's Country Jubilee family and bringing joy to so many through comedy. She learned her way around the kitchen and how to prepare the most delicious meals and desserts from her Mama. Debbie Mayes made the best chocolate chip cookies you've ever tasted and always made sure she had something to feed you.
During her years at Livingston High School, Debbie met the true love of her life, Keith Mayes. They dated for five years before marrying on September 3, 1977. Debbie took pride in taking care of her home and husband and just loved being Keith's wife. Together they raised two children, Willie and Katie. As a wife and mother, she excelled in constantly showering her family with unconditional love, support, guidance, commitment, and made every effort to create wonderful memories to last a lifetime. She made everything fun and beautiful. Eventually she became a mother-in-law, although she loved them as her own, to Betsy and Andrew.
Debbie's greatest joy in life was being a grandmother. She was "Mammy" to four precious grandchildren. Maggie, Harper, Miller, and Lucy were the loves of her life. Her world revolved around them, and if you knew her, you already knew that.
Debbie loved laughing, the color red, Camp Sunflower, corn, hunting, and Jesus. She had an infectious smile that could light up any room. Her comedic timing was perfect and her ability to crack a joke in any situation was unmatched. If you needed someone to pray for you, Debbie Mayes was doing it. If you were down and out and needed your spirit lifted, she would do that no doubt. Whether it was her sweet smile, the sound of her laughter, a home cooked meal, a prayer you didn't know you needed, or a lifetime of special memories, Debbie gave it all and did everything BIG and with great JOY. She will forever live in all our hearts.
Debbie is proceeded in death by her parents, Curtis and Susie. She is survived by her husband Keith; son, Willie and wife, Betsy; daughter Katie and husband, Andrew; and grandchildren Maggie, Harper, Miller, and Lucy; as well as a host of loving sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at First Baptist Church in Livingston and will be officiated by Bro. Brad Butler. Interment will follow at Bluff Creek Cemetery in Livingston. Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 14th at First Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to First Baptist Church Student Ministries.
Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh.com.