Debra Hendricks Obituary
Debra Yvonne Crotts was born on March 18, 1956 to Valadee and Margie Crotts. Debra attended school in Duncan, Arizona. She married William Tuey on June 3, 1972, and gave birth to a daughter, Michelle Tuey, on April 29, 1974. They later divorced on March 17, 1975. Debra then married the love of her life, David Hendricks, on October 29, 1976. She gave birth to a son, Timothy Hendricks, on May 1, 1978.
Debra filled many roles in her lifetime, the first being a proud and loving wife and mother to her children. Debra also contributed to the lives of many children throughout her career. She worked at the Head Start in Duncan, started a daycare in Alpine, worked at Bashas in Apache Junction, was an Arizona Certified Family Child Care Provider, and a Senior Wildlife Technician with Phelps Dodge/Freeport in Morenci; all while raising her own two children and contributing to the lives of countless others.
More than anything, Debra loved her husband, children, and grandchildren. Debra is survived by: her husband of 48 years, David Hendricks; daughter, Michelle Tuey Senne (William Senne); and grandchildren, Katherine, William, Sebastian, Christopher, Levi, and Jackson; her son, Tim Hendricks (Rebecca Carver); and grandchildren, Aspen and Sage; mother, Margie Crotts; a brother, Danny Crotts; sisters, Vicky Phoenix and Nedra Lucas; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends. She is preceded in death by her father, Valadee Crotts.
A memorial service for Debra will be conducted Friday, November 22, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at The River Church in Safford by Pastor David Chapman.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Debra's name to SEACUS in Safford.
Those who would like to attend the services via Facebook Live can join on Vining Funeral Home's Facebook page, Friday morning, November 22, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. (MST).
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Debra, please visit our floral store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
Nedra Lucas
November 21, 2024
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Nedra Lucas
November 21, 2024
Nedra's Memories
Debra always used to tell me her twin that she was the older one by three minutes. Just 5 years ago, I found out that Debra was actually 4 minutes not 3 minutes older than me. That still made Debra the bigger, older one and me the baby of the family. Since we were born, we were known as the twins, Debra/ Nedra.
Starting with our kindergarten days, most teachers were always confused about which twin we were. We were asked " Are you Debra or Nedra?" all the time. We were also always asked "Are you the good twin or the bad twin?" Debra would always answer the GOOD one.
We dressed the same until we reached high school. Many times as we got together at gatherings, we tried to wear the same outfit. Our appearance was so similar that friends of Debra that happened to run into me in Safford at the store would call Debra and ask her why she wasn't friendly, not knowing that they had run into me instead. I didn't even know who they were.
Daddy even from the moment we were born he could not tell us apart until we were much older, in our sixties. He must have figured out a trick by then to tell us apart after all those years. Momma could always tell us apart. Other people THOUGHT they could.
The first time Dave saw the both of us together he had a hard time telling us apart. She was in the other room changing and he thought I was her at first. But quickly, the twins husbands found ways to tell us apart. Kids and grandkids, nieces and nephews sometimes could tell the difference. Mistakes were often made and made us laugh.
Debra had a great heart for everyone she always met, her smile and laughter brought joy to all who knew her. She enjoyed making things to show her love of others through her talent. Later, both Dave and Debra enjoyed time visiting Hobby Lobby together.
Their home was happy and warm. She was proud of her kids and grandkids and loved all of them fiercely. She would always tell everyone who came to visit how her babies and grandbabies were doing. Dave and Debra's home is filled with family photos, blankets and items with family members photos and names.
I will always remember her sitting on her porch . I know she took so much time in their yard. It always looked beautiful. When she needed to rest, she would take breaks to visit with neighbors and friends.
She was a warrior and her cancer battle was greater than you or I could ever imagine. Her angels are surrounding her with rays of sunshine and love. She truly left beauty from within wherever she shared with others. She was someone that would tell it like it is, whether you wanted to hear it or not!! She was loving, kind, and generous.
I already miss her and I still get the urge to give her a call. I think about her every day, remembering happy moments. Though I miss her deeply, I am grateful in knowing that her suffering is over and she is in Heaven with our Daddy and Heavenly Father both. But she will always be right there in my heart too for all time.
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1940 South 20th Avenue, Safford, AZ 85546
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