Debra Jo Steffen

Debra Jo Steffen, 52, of Dewey, Oklahoma, passed away on February 11, 2026, in her home surrounded by family and loved ones, after her long and hard battle with cancer.

Born on March 25, 1973, in Vinita, Oklahoma, she was the child of Lester O'Bryne Praytor & Mary Belle Quary. As a child, Debra loved reading- you could often find her curled up in a chair with a book- she also loved walking with her mother and sister in downtown Vinita when the weather was nice. Debra enjoyed camping on Grand Lake with her mother, father, and sister Amy. They had a pop-up camper, and she had a many happy weekends with her family in Bernice.

She attended Tulsa Community College and went on to get her Master's Degree in Child Development. She was the owner and operator of Kountry Thyme daycare for 17 years while also working at Eggbert's for 10 years. Even while she fought Stage 4 appendix Cancer for the last 2 ½ years, she still worked with the Delaware Tribe as a Teacher, showing her dedication and determination in shaping the minds of young children.

In 2017, she and Nicholas A. Carither began their shared life together and, for 9 years, enjoyed riding motorcycles, movie nights, date nights every Sunday, and became foster parents together.

Debra is survived by her 4 sons, Zakery, Dalton, Dakota, Hunter, and Jacob Simpson, her bonus son. Her grandchildren, Emmarose, Zoey, Rylee, and Colt. Her sisters, Glenda Gregory, Robin Kepler, and Amy Fletcher (Alfred). Lots of family love and will miss debra. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her 3 brothers, Carven Dale Praytor, Dennis Epperson, and Johnny Epperson, and her grandchild, Zayne

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, February 27th, 2026, 2 p.m at First Baptist Church of Dewey. We will also be having a second celebration of life at her home at a later date to be announced.

Flower donations may be made to 402 E 10th St, Dewey, Oklahoma 74029