Brown
Deborah “Debbie” Ann Brown, 75 of Tishomingo, Okla. formerly of Atoka, Okla. and Durant, Okla. passed away peacefully on March 30, 2025, at her home in Tishomingo, Okla.
ShewasbornonMonday,July18,1949, to Jack Lee and Donna Louise (McClung) Stephens in Hobart, Okla.
Debbie graduated from Madill High School with the class of 1967. She was a business owner. Debbie was co-owner of a convenience store, The Handi-Shop, for over 30 years, which was a very special time in her life.
Tishomingo people and everybody in the surrounding areas got to know just how good of a cook Debbie was. She loved connecting and building lifelong friendships with all the kids and people she employed there. Debbie often talked about how being behind the counter, greeting customers and friends, at the store was her happy place.
She then went on to help build and operate Brown’s Funeral Service in Atoka and Durant with Eddie Brown. Debbie enjoyed being a part of the day to day operations and often got forced by Eddie to write for him due to her pretty handwriting. She just loved having to live at the funeral home and hear the phone ring all night!
Debbie cherished all the staff she worked with and relationships she built at the Atoka and Durant locations. Later on, she went to work part time at the Hampton Inn in Durant and later worked part time at Lakeway Gas Station. Debbie loved all of the friendships she made while working in Durant and Atoka and talked about her coworkers often.
She married Eddie Brown on July 12, 1967 and somehow put up with him for over 38 years. Together, they had two children.
Debbie was a member of Tishomingo First Baptist Church for the early years and later, at Atoka First Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School. She had an eye for decorating and made beautiful crafts, enjoyed meeting and visiting with people everywhere she went. She loved being with her children and grandchildren and any kid she met. Being a nanny was truly her favorite thing in the world. She loved her sweet dog Mitzi, until she passed, and her kitty Louise.
Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Donna Louise (McClung) Stephens; sister, Lana Jean Kroft; son-in-law, Chad Ford Axsom; step-dad, James “Bud” Atkinson; brother-in-law, Dan Powers; her beloved fur babies, Maggie, Mitzie, Sylvester, Thelma and many more; numerous aunts, uncles and extended family She is survived by her daughter, Laura L. Miller and husband Tomie of Atoka, Okla.; son, Todd Brown of Atoka, Okla.; grandchildren, Devon Brown of Durant, Okla., Cheyenne Axsom of Tishomingo, Okla., Grayson Axsom of Atoka, Okla.; siblings, Jack L. Stephens of Florida, Sandy L. Powers of Durant, Okla., Mike Stephens of Mead, Okla.; two special children in her life, Brandi Kirkman of Franklin, Ind., Baylin Wood of Tishomingo, Okla.; aunt, Betty Sparks of Cordell, Okla., father of her children, Eddie Brown and current wife Dawn of Atoka, Okla.; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear and loved friends.
Debbie’s service was held Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 1 p.m. at the Tishomingo First Baptist Church with Brother Joey Lansdale officiating. Interment was at Green Meadows Cemetery in Atoka, Okla. Family night was Friday, April 4, 2025 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Tishomingo First Baptist Church Casketbearers were Mike Lovett, Mitchell Reed, Teddy Clements, Devon Brown, Grayson Axsom and Alvin Mc-Carthick.
Honorary castketbearers were Baylin Wood, Jerry Lawley, Benny Lewis, Kevin Day, Richard Smith, Tommy Wrinkler, All Former Employees of The Handi-Shop and Brown’s Funeral Service.
Condolences may be sent to the family by email to Browns@atoka.net. Please reference the name of the deceased in your correspondence.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Coalgate Animal Efforts on Facebook or go have fun with your loved ones.
Services were entrusted to her family at Brown’s Funeral Service in Atoka, Okla.