Deborah "Debbie" Bowers Jones

Funeral services for Deborah "Debby" Jones, 58, of Rusk, will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 14, 2022, at Laird Funeral Home with Bro. Marshall Ratliff and Bro. Bill Lindley. Interment will follow at Saint's Rest Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, January 13, 2022, at Laird Funeral Home. 

Mrs. Jones passed away on January 11, 2022, in Sacul, Texas. She was born October 5, 1963, in Nacogdoches, Texas. 

Debbie was born and raised in what many would say is the best part of the country by her adoring parents that she loved dearly.  She learned everything that country living could teach you and then was taught the values that came along with growing up in the south.  “God first” was the first thing she knew.  She spent many hours in the church as a child and when she became older, she dedicated her life to teaching others about her Savior.  She grew into a faithful servant whose love of Christ was depicted in her everyday life.  While in high school at Woden, she played basketball, ran track and was a princess during the annual Harvest Festival and was also Miss WHS.  As Debbie grew into a young woman and had a family of her own, she taught the same values to them.  During the time of raising Tyler, Houston and Shelby, Debbie completed her Master’s in Administration, Master’s in Counseling and Bachelor’s in PE.  She taught and coached in Etoile, Hudson, Douglass, Arizona, Las Vegas, Aransas Pass, Taft, and ended her tenure at her beloved Nacogdoches County CoOp where she was adoringly called “Captain”.  Her children watched as she dedicated her time to not only others but her church as well.  Debbie sang and played piano at every church she was a member of.  She also worked with the youth and taught Sunday School.  Her children were influenced by the wonderful things Debbie accomplished and learned from the way she presented herself.  Debbie was also very proud of her children and as she watched all 3 of her oldest join and serve in the United States Army, her patriotism and love of mankind grew.  She made an impact on many children during her 30 years in Special Education as well as being a foster parent.  Debbie was passionate about her school kids and did everything in her power to challenge them to become great human beings, even in the world that didn’t necessarily pave a way for them.  She was often referred to as “Coach” after coaching track and field, cross country, volleyball, softball, basketball and even a bit of cheerleading.  Later in her life, through church of course, she met Wayne Jones.  They were married in 2004 and spent 17 beautiful years by each other’s side.  Their lives were completed with the addition of grandchildren and Debbie could not have been happier.  She and Wayne were afforded a new opportunity and that special blessing was named Destin.  He, along with the other children and grandchildren, completed Debbie.  She was blessed.  Debbie enjoyed her goats, her donkeys and watching her favorite TV Show, Survivor (she even applied to be a contestant)!  Debbie has been described by friends and colleagues as a servant, a blessing, a woman with great passion and a giver.  In her last days, just as she would have wanted,  her family was by her side, unified together as one as she left her worldly home to join her Savior.  It was said best by one of her co-workers…”Her impact and her legacy ensure that she will not be forgotten”. 

“God still has a plan for her life, it is only making a curve”

Debbie is survived by her husband, Wayne Jones of Rusk; children, Shelby Prince and husband, Josh of Sacul, Tyler Serpas and wife, Chelbie of Whitehouse, Houston Serpas and wife, Sara of Sacul and Destin Harvey of Rusk; parents, Thomas Murray Bowers and Jeannine Martin Bowers; grandchildren, Lydia Serpas, Zoey Carrizales, Nora Serpas, Stella Ray Serpas, Mathew Serpas, Noah Serpas, Emma Mae Serpas, Addie Prince, Lacie Prince Marley Prince and Joshua Prince; sisters, Cathy Harvey of Sacul and Polly Bowers Maness and husband, Russ of Lake Pinkston; brother, Tommy Bowers and wife, Audra of Kingman, Arizona.  She is also survived by the father of her 3 oldest children, Raymond Serpas as well as many other close family members that she cherished dearly.

She is preceded in death by her in-laws, Von & Maxine Jones.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Deborah "Debbie" Bowers Jones, please visit our floral store.