Debra Ann Stanton

Debra Ann Stanton joined the members of the Church Triumphant on March 29, 2013, Good Friday. She was 54 years old. Cancer took her, but Jesus Christ claimed her as His own. She was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Elko, NV

She was born Debra Ann Bowman on December 24, 1958 to C. David Bowman and Doris Ann Hotchkiss Bowman in Meadeville, PA. She attended schools in Meadeville, Waipahu, HI, and Virginia. She eventually earned an associate degree in early childhood development.

Before moving to Elko, NV on May 29, 2009, she was a foster parent in Lemoore, CA for almost 24 years. She cared for approximately 300-400 foster children in that time period. Over the years she adopted fourteen of her foster children. Their names from oldest to youngest are Michael, Corrina, Dion, Cera, Zackery, Jennifer, Shenai, Brianna, Julie, Alysa, Madysun, Samuel, Janiese, and Mikenna.

She met her husband, Bruce Wayne Stanton, a retired naval officer, a retired peace officer, and retired community college instructor in 1992. Over the years their friendship grew and her children came to call him 'Grandpa'. On December 24, 2008, Debi and Bruce became engaged. They were married on March 21, 2009.

After arriving in Spring Creek, NV, Debi and Bruce became licensed foster parents and opened their home to more foster children.

In February 2013, Debi was diagnosed with cancer. She had a positive outlook towards cancer treatment and relied heavily on her Lord for strength, courage, healing, and comfort. However, the Lord had other plans for his servant and called her home on Good Friday, 2013. She leaves behind in the home Bruce, Madysun, Samuel, Janiese, Mikenna, and long time friend Sue Grebas.

She is predeceased by her parents; maternal grandparents Truman and Valerie Hotchkiss; Uncle Lee Hotchkiss and cousin Rebecca Hotchkiss; by paternal grandfather Clifford Bowman and Aunt Florence Hughes.

She is survived by paternal grandmother Dorothy Bowman; Aunt Donna and Bob Plants; Uncle Larry Bowman, Uncle Arden Hughes; Aunt and Uncle Larry and Jeanne Albaugh, cousins Louis T. Severo, David and Pam Severo, John Severo and companion Lorna, Lisa Severo, and Michael Hotchkiss of Florida.

Whoever receives one such child in my name [Jesus] receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Matthew 18:4-5.