Debra Spears

1958 - 2026

Debra Spears
02/26/1958 - 01/12/2026
Debra Suzanne Pewitt Spears
Debra Spears, 67, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2026 at her home surrounded by her loving family.
Born on February 26, 1958 to Lawrence and Ada Garza Pewitt, Debra Suzanne Pewitt Spears was a descendant of the earliest ranching families that settled on the north side of the Rio Grande River in 1752, long before the area became the legal geographical jurisdiction known as the state of Texas.
Debra channeled this early heritage into a stewardship of the natural environment.
A consummate bird watcher, she spent her leisure time planning and tending to what eventually culminated in a butterfly garden. An amateur meteorologist, she followed the turbulent weather patterns of Central Texas, convincing those who knew her that she had missed her true professional calling.
Debra's faith in God, first instilled in her at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Houston and nurtured through the youth group at St. George's Episcopal Church in Austin, eventually developed into a spirituality that had a profound impact on everyone who knew her. Her love for others served to inspire and uplift those around her, whether they were family members, casual acquaintances, or lifelong friends. This nurturing
instinct extended to all living creatures; and as an adult her home was a rotating menagerie of rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, dogs, turtles, gerbils, fish, hamsters, cats and a frog, and finally presided over by the beloved Yorkies Ernie and Jackson.
A diehard sports fan, Debra initially honed this interest as a member of the varsity tennis team at what was then the recently inaugurated LBJ High School. She continued to pursue this avocation by becoming an avid follower of UT Austin athletics, including baseball, women's basketball, and as a 25-year season ticket holder to Longhorn football games.
With affinities for math and science, skills she inherited from her engineer father and nurse mother, Debra attended the University of Texas at Austin, eventually accepting positions as a senior-level budget analyst with several state agencies including the Texas Health and Human Services Commission over a 32-year career.
A woman of eclectic tastes, Debra loved the local music scene, including the early years of Austin City Limits, countless rock concerts, Antone's and other local venues, as well as opera and touring Broadway musicals.
Imbued with a spirit of adventure, Debra enjoyed traveling to distant European cities and exploring the vastness of the Texas terrain. She cherished her time in Hawaii, experiencing the diverse island, embracing its culture, and spending time with her ohana.
An avid baker, her passion for baking for others was an act of love. A stranger to none and beloved by all, she had a rare gift for striking up conversation with anyone she met. Always on the go and ever curious, she had a thirst for knowledge and was remarkably well-versed in a myriad of topics.

Debra leaves behind a lasting legacy-a shining example of a life well lived, forever remembered for her generosity of spirit. She was a beautiful soul: a tower of strength and resilience and a source of inspiration. Her warmth, captivating smile, and the light she so effortlessly brought into every room will be endlessly missed.
Preceded in death by her father Lawrence, Debra is survived by her mother Ada, her sister Kathleen, and the loves of her life, her daughters Katie and Patti.


Debra P. Spears Memorial Fund
With your support and generosity, we can create a special place in the memory of Debra at the future Austin MD Anderson Cancer Center. This could not be possible without you. Thank you for keeping Debra's memory alive.

If you wish to make a gift by check, please make it payable to MD Anderson Cancer Center, note "Debra P. Spears Memorial Fund" in the memo line, and mail it to:
MD Anderson Cancer Center
P.O. Box 4486
Houston, TX 77210-4486

If you wish to make a gift online:
Go to: https://MDAnderson.org/Gifts
Click "Give Now"
Select "Dedicate this donation"
Fill out "Debra P. Spears"
Then select "I'd like to choose where my donation will go"
Select "Other" in the drop down
Type in "Debra P. Spears Memorial Fund"