Debora Lorene McKee's Obituary
Debora Lorene McKee, 63, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2025, at Ascension St. John Medical Center in Tulsa.
Born May 5, 1961, in Toledo, Ohio, Debora was the daughter of Herbert Wayne and Melba Lorene Truitt Breeden. She spent her formative years in Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, growing up in Maryville, Tennessee, where she attended school. From an early age, Debora demonstrated her caring nature by helping to take care of her youngest brother and mother during times of illness. She was the second of six children in the Breeden family.
In 1981, Debora made Tulsa her home and began a dedicated career with Zebco that would span over 30 years. She started at the Apache Street location and later relocated to the Port of Catoosa facility, where she worked diligently in the packaging department.
Debora found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She loved the outdoors, especially fishing and taking road trips through wooded areas. Her green thumb was evident in her vegetable garden, where she cultivated tomatoes, okra, peppers, green beans, squash, and zucchini. In her free time, she enjoyed watching television with her beloved dog, Itsy, one of many canine companions she cherished throughout her life.
Those who knew Debora describe her as heart-warming, beautiful, caring, sharing, strong-hearted, and a true leader. She was known for her kindness and gentleness, though she could be a fighter when necessary. As a mother, she was the picture of perfection, always knowing exactly what her daughter needed. She lived vicariously through her daughter and grandchildren, taking great pride in their accomplishments.
Debora was renowned for her hospitality-nobody who visited her home ever left hungry. She was an exceptional cook, famous for her brown beans, fried potatoes, and okra with cornbread, among many other delicious recipes. Her talents extended beyond the kitchen; she was skilled at quilting, sewing, and crocheting, crafting house shoes not only for her family but also for her friends at work.
One of her favorite pastimes was thrift store shopping with her family, along with hunting for treasures at garage sales and flea markets.
Debora met her husband, Jimmy, through mutual friends, and the couple married in December 2017 in Muskogee.
She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Michael, Douglas, Don, and Herbie; and her grandson, Mason Lawrence.
Debora is survived by her husband, Jimmy; daughter Clarissa and her partner, Doug Banic; grandchildren Caleb, Melody, and Calvin; and two sisters, Diane Rock and Dorothy Manas.
A funeral ceremony honoring Debora will be held at 2 PM Friday, March 7, 2025, in the Rivercrest Chapel. The family will receive visitors from 6-8 PM Thursday, also at Rivercrest.
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