Obituary published on Legacy.com by Carnes Brothers Funeral Home on Oct. 3, 2025.
Deborah Bonita Stephens age 71 of Galveston passed away Sunday, September 28, 2025, at Jennie Sealy Hospital in Galveston. A funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 11:00am Saturday, October 11, 2025, with visitation beginning at 9:00am. A rosary will be recited at 10:30am. Following the services, friends are invited to join the family for a reception at the Knights of Columbus Hall 1912 Winnie St
Galveston, Texas 77550. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Carnes Brothers Funeral Home of Galveston. www.carnesbrothers.com
On December 16, 1953, Deborah Bonita Stephens graced us with her presence from the union of King Solomon Stephens Sr. and Pauline Gibson Stephens.
Deborah was educated in the Catholic School System of
Galveston, TX, starting at Holy Galveston Catholic (now Holy Family), Holy Rosary Ursuline and continuing to O'Connell High School where she graduated in the Class of 1972. After accumulating several scholarships, including to MIT, she accepted the scholarship from the University of Texas at Austin. Acting on her passion to care for others, she furthered her education by attending the University of Texas Nursing School at Galveston, graduating in December 1977.
She started her illustrious career as a neonatal nurse in the Infant Special Care Unit (ISCU now NICU) at the University of Texas Medical Branch - Galveston. There she met quite a few people who would become more family than friends. Many special bonds were formed and nurtured throughout this time while serving as a NICU Assistant Nurse Manager and Advanced Nurse Practitioner for the Newborn Nursery.
In 1985, she moved to Dallas to expand her career, working for St. Paul's Hospital – The Daughters of Charity. During this time, she set out to further her education and advance her career by pursuing a master's degree in business management in Dallas. She graduated Summa Cum Laude, as if this were not to be expected.
Deborah returned to her roots at UTMB-Galveston in 1998 as a Nurse Administrator in the Emergency Room. In 2003 she returned to the NICU as the Nurse Manager and later became an Administrator in the Women, Infant and Children Services (WIC) department. She held this position until her retirement in 2015.
During her time in the NICU in the 1980's, she met the love of her life, Patricia A. Rogers, MD, who became her lifelong partner. She took Patricia under her wings, and they took the world by storm for 43 wonderful years, supporting one another and building a life filled with countless cherished memories.
Deborah's faith was a guiding force throughout her life, and she remained devoted to the Lord and the Catholic Church, generously sharing her time, talents, and resources. She lived by the principle of treating others with kindness and respect, always putting her beliefs into action and showing love and compassion to everyone, she met. As a nurse, Deborah cared for her patients with unwavering dedication, skill and advocacy, but her greatest gift was the steadfast support she offered to friends and family. She was a safe haven for many-a confidante who spoke the truth with unconditional love and created a lasting legacy of warmth and wisdom and humor.
On September 28, 2025, at 19:24p.m. God healed her as He saw fit and transitioned her to his loving care. His will was done.
Deborah is now reunited with her parents, sisters Shirley N. Copeland, Mae Ellen Ester and Elenor Marie Stephens, brother King Solomon Stephens, Jr. (Kent), her in-laws Rev. James and 1st Lady Mary E. White and a host of other family and friends to greet her as she walks in heaven.
She leaves her loving memories, love, wisdom and sarcastic humor with her world, Dr. Patricia A. Rogers of Galveston, daughter Regina Sulcer-Ruckett (Brandon) of Texas City, TX, granddaughters, Renelle Yarbrough, Jenelle Yarbrough and Lauryn Earls all of Texas City, TX Nieces Michaelle Holloway of Fort Worth, TX, Cheryl Triplett of Texas City, TX, and Aquanetta Copeland of League City, TX; nephews Albert Copeland (Michelle) of Texas City, James Copeland (Jeannine Baxley) of Missouri and Paul Copeland of Galveston. A special great niece she held near and dear to her heart, D' Juanna Raney of Humble, TX., several god children whom she loved dearly, a host of great nieces and nephews, several close friends who have become sisters and family and friends near and far.