Debra Ann Weaver 1961-2025

You always think there will be more time

A memorial will be held at 1pm Saturday February 8 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses.

Zoom Credentials:
Meeting ID: 854 4826 6223
Passcode: 930215

I knew her as Deb, my wife’s sister. But she became a lot more than just an in-law. She was my defacto big sister.

Others knew her as Debbie, Gi-gi, daughter, sister, mom, friend.

Debbie was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, to Christino and Mary Ann Rodriguez on an otherwise quiet Monday evening at the end of summer. She was the second of three children and grew up in a loving family, building memories with her sisters as their parents raised three rambunctious girls. Debbie was always the most outspoken of the three and developed a fiercely independent streak even as a young girl. She was known for defending and supporting her two sisters throughout her life.

In a shock to us all, Debbie fell asleep in death early in the morning of February 1st after a long fight with cancer. We assumed she had beaten this evil, as many do. In the final weeks of her life, she maintained a full schedule despite feeling less than herself.

She is survived by her husband, Ronnie L. Weaver; sons, Jarrid Weaver and Shelby Weaver; daughters-in-law, Jessica and Shelby Lynn; grandchildren: Christian, Emmah, Ryan, and Ronnie Thomas; parents, Chris & Mary Rodriguez; sisters, Angelina McClain & Annette Villa; in-laws, Anne Weaver, Joel Weaver, Rhonda Durdaller, Ramiro Villa and David McClain; niece and nephew, Caleb and Francesca Villa; as well as many others who loved her dearly.

After graduating from Wichita Falls Senior High School, she married Ronnie Lynn Weaver on August 16, 1980. They lived for a time in Vernon, later took up residence in Burkburnett, and finally settled in Wichita Falls for more than two decades. After three years together, at 22, Debbie became the mother of a beautiful son. A few years later, she and Ronnie welcomed a second child, another beautiful son.

On June 7, 1974, she decided to build a life around serving God and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. From then on, Debbie made worshiping with her family a priority. She spent many years giving parts at public meetings, participated numerous times in conventions and assemblies, and was a constant presence in the ministry for more than 50 years. She spent many years in full-time ministry, and even when circumstances prevented that level of activity, she did as much as she could by maintaining a pioneer spirit and dedicating hours to the ministry each month. She was still working in the ministry as recently as January 2025.

She also served for many years as a volunteer construction worker, assisting in the building and remodeling of places of worship. A high point of her volunteer work was participating in disaster relief efforts, including New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Debbie held many jobs over the course of her life. For a time, she drove an 18-wheeler, painted famous cartoon characters on plywood standees, and did her share of service work. But the highlight of her career was working at the State Hospital in technology support and new employee onboarding, from which she retired in 2021.

She kept a meticulous and welcoming home. Her skills as a capable cook were used not just to feed her ever-growing family but to benefit her many friends as well. She loved to bake, and her enchiladas were described as legendary.

Those home-life skills extended to her ability to care lovingly for her plants. Debbie tended to them daily, ensuring they were watered and pruned to perfection. Her favorites were roses.

Always brimming with energy, Debbie was often the life of the party—ready to dance at the drop of a hat, whether at a gathering, in the living room, or behind the wheel of her car. She usually paired this love of dancing with singing, belting out the lyrics to her favorite songs any chance she got.

A voracious reader, she was always in search of a great book. Whether fiction or nonfiction, reading was both a source of personal enrichment and a way to unwind. From mystery to history, Debbie enjoyed a wide range of subjects.

Another of Debbie’s great loves was travel. Having set foot in 46 of the 50 states, she had seen more of the United States than most, and she also traveled to Canada, Mexico, and various destinations in the Caribbean. She loved camping outdoors, soaking up the peace and quiet—usually waking early to prepare breakfast for whomever was fortunate enough to travel with her. She especially loved the mountains. The smell, the trees, the views—every part of them inspired happiness.

If she couldn’t make it to the mountains in the travel trailer she and Ronnie built, they would spend their leisure time at the lake or on the river, fishing. Reportedly, she was an excellent fisherman, often landing not only the first catch of the day but usually the largest—much to the chagrin of the other fishermen.

Her laughter was abundant and infectious. To know her was to know her eager sense of humor, always ready with wry wit and a clever commentary in any situation. Even in the darkest moments, she could find a silver lining or a funny observation. She would likely even find humor in the fact that she is gone from our lives—though we will find it difficult to do.

Debbie was able to have that bright humor because, no matter how difficult life became, she had a hope brighter than the sun in the promises she found in God’s word. She held a certain and confident expectation that one day, she would enjoy a perfect life forever, in harmony with Revelation 21:3, 4.

To say that Debbie will be missed is about as gross an understatement as we can make. She was the nucleus of her family, best friends with her parents and sisters, and a critical part of all our lives. We are made of missing pieces, and the puzzle of us will feel even more incomplete without her.

Come, lord Jesus. (John 5:28, 29)

Deb and Ron made it 44 years together. They’d have lasted another 44 million given the chance. Robbed by the villain of this world. Here’s a golden oldie from about 25 years ago: