Debra Jean (Lee) Best

Debra Jean (Lee) Best, 66, of Rockford, Illinois, passed away peacefully at her home on February 23, 2026. She was born on January 25, 1960, in Rockford, where she was raised and spent most of her life.

Debbie was preceded in death by her father, Oberline Lee; her mother, Imogene (Carr) Lee, later Sholes; her stepfather, LaVerne Sholes; her sister, Bonnie (Lee) Pickett; and her granddaughter, Maria Ramirez.

She is survived by her children, Carlos Ramirez of Rockford, IL; Gustavo "Gus" Ramirez of Rockford, IL; Phoebe Sweetman-Joesil (Nick Joesil) of Jacksonville, FL; Brandon Sweetman of Rockford, IL; and Jamie (Bunting) Beebe of Las Cruces, NM.

She was a proud grandmother to Rebeca Ramirez, Aaliyah Ramirez, and Serenity Ramirez; Nickolas Joesil and Phelicity Joesil; Armond Beebe, Tristen Beebe, Madison Beebe, Karly Beebe, and Kale Beebe; and even one great-grandchild, Paisley Ramirez.

She is also survived by her brothers, Teddy Lee (Dawn) of Houston, TX; Robert Sholes of Rockford, IL; and Ronald Sholes of Jacksonville, FL; and her sister, Penny Sholes of St. Augustine, FL; along with her many beloved nieces and nephews and extended family and friends, each of whom held a special place in her heart.

Debbie was independent, resilient, and never afraid to carve her own path. Those who knew her understood that she carried a quiet strength, faced life with determination, and remained steady through whatever came her way.

In 1976, at just 16 years old, she married Eddie Ramirez and moved to Los Angeles, California, where her first son, Carlos, was born. After a few years, she relocated back to Rockford, where she lived for most of her life, aside from several years spent in Houston, Texas, and in Wisconsin (Green Bay and Dykesville).

Never one to shy away from hard work, Debbie painted houses alongside her father, Oberline, in her early twenties, worked various factory jobs, and gained experience roofing, remodeling, tree cutting, and countless other hands-on trades. She could fix nearly anything and took pride in doing things herself. Strength and self-reliance were hallmarks of her character.

Debbie had many interests and hobbies that reflected her creative spirit and curiosity. She was a talented artist who loved to sketch and could draw almost anything she envisioned. She also enjoyed thrifting and searching for overlooked treasures — items she could restore and bring back to life. She had an eye for potential and often saw possibility where others did not. Many of those thrifting adventures were shared with her mother and Aunt Linda (Carr) Ingram, a simple pleasure that Debbie's daughters later enjoyed as well.

Music was always part of Debbie's life. She loved the powerful voices of Janis Joplin and Patsy Cline, guitar legends Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana, and the timeless sound of classic rock, country music across generations, and even popular hip-hop artists like Tupac Shakur. Her taste in music reflected her spirit — bold, soulful, and just a little rebellious — shaping, in part, the musical tastes of her children.

An auto enthusiast at heart, Debbie owned hot rods, muscle cars, sports cars, and classics throughout her life. In her twenties, she drove a Datsun 280Z — a reflection of her adventurous nature during those early years. More recently, she cherished her '38 Chevy coupe with a three-on-the-floor manual transmission, her '68 Chevelle, and a 1970s-model Stingray Corvette. She also loved driving a vintage Jaguar in her later years. Cars were Debbie's passion, and she took pride in personally handling much of the mechanical work and restoration herself — an interest she shared with her brother Ted and later with her sons Carlos and Gus. She also enjoyed the Harley-Davidson culture and owned one as well.

Alongside that strength, Debbie also enjoyed crafts, including sewing and quilting, much like her mother. She enjoyed being a "girl's girl" — wearing makeup, styling her hair, and doing her nails — though she was never much for dresses.

She also had a deep appreciation for Native American art, jewelry, and heritage — an interest inspired by her grandmother, Zula (Howard) Sanders, and later shared with her daughters. She enjoyed visiting cultural landmarks, including the Eternal Indian, also known as the Black Hawk Statue. Perched high on a bluff overlooking the Rock River in Lowden State Park, the towering 50-foot monument held special meaning for Debbie and reflected her respect for Native heritage and resilience. She collected dream catchers and wore tattoos that symbolized protection, strength, and her spiritual connection.

Debbie had a generous heart and often showed it in quiet ways. She delighted in giving jewelry, meaningful keepsakes, and thoughtful cards — small gestures that reflected her caring nature. Last year, she was especially proud to pass down her '68 Chevelle to her brother Ted, who had owned several himself over the years. She knew it would receive the care and attention it deserved.

Debbie also had a deep love for animals. Over the years, she cared for many beloved pets, from loyal German Shepherds and Collies to spirited Chihuahuas like Tinker Bell, as well as cats, birds, fish, and even ferrets and turtles. Her animals brought her comfort, companionship, and joy, and they were an important part of her life.

Debbie was a woman of faith who found great comfort in her love for Jesus. She cherished the symbol of the cross and walked a spiritual path uniquely her own. Whether through the crosses she wore or in quiet moments of reflection, her faith remained her constant compass.

Debbie will be remembered for her independence, her grit, her creativity, her adventurous spirit, and, above all, her deep and abiding love for her family. Her strength, laughter, and presence will be deeply missed but forever carried in the hearts of those who loved her.

Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance at Sunset Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens. A private visitation for family will be held Friday, March 6, at 3:30 PM. Public visitation will take place Saturday, March 7, from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM, with the funeral service immediately following at 11:00 AM.

Friends and family are encouraged to share memories, stories, and photos of Debbie, below.