Debra Lou Jackson

Sherman- Debra Lou Jackson was born in Pasadena, Texas, on June 19, 1954, to Jack and Mary Jackson. When she was a year old, they moved to Hobbs, New Mexico, because of her dad's job. After a year, the family moved to Sherman, Texas, where Debra grew up and attended school, graduating from Sherman High School in 1972. Her college freshman year was delayed because of her need to have medical treatment at National Jewish Hospital in Denver, Colorado, where she spent nine months. After her time in Colorado, she returned to Sherman and worked for Janice Bryant in the Christian Book Store. Debra was forever grateful to Janice for that opportunity, and they formed a lasting friendship. She attended Baylor University and got her degree in music and education. She furthered her education with a Master's in Piano Performance. While growing up in Sherman, Debra was the church pianist for First Baptist Church in Sherman, The Solid Rock and a number of other music groups. She had begun her music training at age 6 after picking out tunes on the piano.
While Debra was at Baylor, she was a pianist at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church and later an organist. While on staff there, Debra directed a number of choirs, especially delighting in her college choir. At one time, she had over 120 students in her choir. She felt led to take her college choir on a prison mission trip each Easter weekend and she continued serving the prisons by teaching Bridges for Life, which would bridge the prisoners from prison to life outside of prison. During this time, she also taught math and music in Temple, Texas. She also directed the bell choir and took them to Europe, playing in churches, in Mozart Square and the church where The Sound of Music was filmed. She allowed her mom to accompany them and gave her the job of taking care of their white gloves. Each year Debra took her bell choir to Dickens on the Square in Galveston, getting first place each time. After her time at Columbus Avenue, Debra continued playing piano or organ in different churches, her latest position being with Friendship Methodist Church in Sherman. Debra loved this church family and made lasting friends. Her time there continued until March 27 when her health required hospital stays, eventually leading to her time to go be with Jesus on August 8.
Debra is predeceased in death by her dad, Jack Jackson, her grandparents, Laverne and Roy Jackson, Gussie and Arlie Hitt as well as several special aunts, uncles and cousins. She is survived by her mother, Mary Jackson, brother, Tim Jackson, Aunt Eva Nell Turner Kimler Jackson and a number of cousins. Several of these cousins helped Debra, her mom and brother through her last days on Earth. We are so grateful that Kathi and Mike Williamson, Diana and Brenda Turner and Penny and Keith Stamps spent time with us as we said goodbye to Debra and saw her into Heaven with a smile on her face. We know she is healed, happy and rejoicing with Jesus and her family there. While our hearts are broken, our hearts are also grateful that Debra has walked with Jesus since she gave her life to Him at age 8.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, August 14 at First Baptist Church of Sherman. The register book can be signed online at waldofuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the First Baptist Church Piano Fund, Friendship United Methodist Church, Buckners Children International or donor's choice.