Debra Ann Riddle

Debra Ann Riddle, 71 of Burleson, passed away on February 1, 2023. Debra was born to Opal Dean Morphew and Luther Deral Plunk on August 27, 1951, in Nashville, Arkansas. She was raised in Arkansas by her mother. She graduated from Murfreesboro High School. Her mother married her Stepfather Don Jackson and moved to Texas. As far as she was concerned Don Jackson was her Daddy. She always said he was the sweetest, kindest man she ever knew and was so grateful to have him in her life.

Debbie had a brief first marriage but soon after met and married the love of her life, Wayne Riddle on November 5, 1972. The two were introduced through mutual friends during one of Wayne's many parties. After a short time, they realized they had a deep connection and so the two started their amazing journey. They shared 50 joyful and adventure filled years raising their three children, Michelle, Allan, and Donovan.
Debbie and Wayne both worked for Xerox, and they moved around with the company. They started in Texas and went on to Oklahoma City. Wayne bought a home built in 1896 from a former CIA agent. Debbie followed shortly after with her pet skunk, Tinker, in toe. If you knew Debbie, you knew she would have had a zoo of strays if Wayne ever let her. The stories from that house were as wild as you can imagine.

After leaving that home, their journey took them out to the country, between Yukon and Mustang where the family unit built a two-story home, half underground, together. Debbie was quite resourceful. The family raised chickens, and rabbits but one day, a huge hog wandered on the property. The kids laughed watching Debbie in her house robe and slippers chasing that hog with a broom trying to herd it into a makeshift pen she created. Well, the hog won, and she backed down for safety, but it was well worth the story to tell years later.

Debbie loved animals and animals loved Debbie. As a kid she even had a pet chicken. She especially had an affection for birds, at one time having her own bird rescue, specializing in baby birds. Debbie was also a gemologist and owned her own jewelry making business.

Debbie and Wayne enjoyed camping and canoeing. They had an appreciation for theater and the arts, having many thespian friends. They enjoyed going to performances at the Arts 5th Avenue in Fort Worth together. Debbie and Wayne lived an adventurous life, at times struggling, but notably there was never a dull moment. They loved to make each other laugh.

She will be remembered most for her kindness as she was always helping others, animal and humans alike.

Debbie is preceded in death by her parents, Dean and Don Jackson; her in-laws, Milburn and Delight Riddle; brother-in-law, Gary Riddle; and grandson, Cameron McCarthy.

She leaves behind to cherish the memories, her beloved husband, Wayne David Riddle; brother in-law Dale Riddle and wife Jamie; daughter, Michelle Patterson and husband, T.C.; son, Allan Riddle; son, Donovan Riddle and wife, Karla; grandchildren, Hazel Harwick, Dante Joestar, Spencer Strunk, Jared Riddle, Gracie Riddle, Michael Strunk, and Sarah Strunk; and Eleven (11) great-grandchildren.