Deborah Mae Yott Bowen, 71, of Madill, Okla., passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Brookside NursingHome.ShewasbornonSeptember 25, 1952, in Durant, Okla., to the late Effie Florence Miles Yott and the late Marvin B. Yott.
In her youth, Debbie was a standout basketball and softball player at Caddo High School. Before the era of professional women’s sports, she played for a recreational softball team called the Cocina Dolls and was an active member of the Women’s Recreation Association. She earned a degree in Physical Education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and later obtained a Master’s degree in Adult Education from the University of Phoenix. Debbie had a passion for growing plants and was an avid family genealogist.
Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin B. and Effie Florence Miles Yott; aunt Betty Hosford; uncle, Glenn Hosford; grandparents, Mayfield and Lena Miles and brother-in-law, Troy Blake.
Debbie is lovingly remembered by her sister, Sabrina Blake of Madill; children, Lori and Jim Gwyn of Weatherford, Scott and Becky Bowen of Hubbard, Ohio, Brandi Bowen Starr of Durant and Lecreta Bowen of Oklahoma City; grandchildren, Caroline and Jacob of Weatherford, Emily and Natalie Bowen of Hubbard, Ohio, Katilynn and Brooklynn and Mark Starr of Durant; nieces and nephews, who affectionately nicknamed her Uncle Debbie/Uncle Brah, Mika Castleberry and children Dylan and Joshua of Olustee, Teresa Gardner and children Mercedes, Andrew, Alexus and Jenna of Durant, Anthony Cole and Amanda Hardesty with their children Daphne and Stone of Louisiana, John Blake of Madill, Lea Ann Blake of Madill and Amanda and Alex Pappas and their daughter Eliana of Australia; aunt and uncle Barbara and Howard Dyke of Walters; numerous cousins and great-great nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Debbie’s life will be scheduled at a later date. She will be missed.