Debra Kay Mercer

Debra Kay Mercer, “Debbie,” 65, was born on June 17, 1956, in Lakeworth, Texas, to parents Elmer Woods Harris and Margie Lee Atchley Harris. Our precious “Debbie” left this world to be with the good Lord on June 5, 2022, with her loving family surrounding her.

In Debbie’s prime and right up to the day she left, she always had a knack for making everyone “mo betta” and went on to do just that both physically and emotionally. Ironically Debbie’s career passion was making others feel good about themselves by becoming a hairdresser for the majority of her lifetime, doing so for more than 20 years alongside her two very best friends, Gail Nye and Brenda Rogillio; everyone knows that anytime they were together they were some kind of “trio,” they even went on to open their own salon naming it “Trimmer Trio” in Lancaster, Texas. From there, Debbie decided she wanted to work side by side with the love of her life as they ran Avco Fab, Inc. for the next 23 years.

On May 29, 1987, Debbie married the love of her life, Ronnie Mercer, combining their two families and raising five children together, Michael, Angel, Clifton, Melissa, and Richard Alan.

Debbie was a “fixer” of everything and for anyone who needed her. Her son, Richard Alan, always said, “no wonder your cell phone number has 911 at the end,” she was our “911” up until the very end. Her infectious smile, her laughter, her one-liners, sense of humor, and loving touch will remain in our hearts forever.

Debbie always had a saying, “do the best you can with what you’ve got.” We will make her proud and do our very best, but we are going to miss her like crazy. Debbie was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, friend, and “wondaful” grandma.

Debbie is survived by her husband of 35 years Ronald Dean Mercer; father Elmer Woods Harris; son Michael Mercer and wife Mandi; daughter Angel Zafarano; son Clifton “Cricket” Mercer; daughter Melissa “Missi” Mercer; and son Richard Zafarano; brother Jerry Harris and wife Kim; sisters Phyllis Pratt and husband Joe; Kathy Patteson and husband Russell; and Shelly Horn and husband Steve; grandchildren Cody; Brooke; Maycee; Matthew; McKenzie; Hayden; Jace; Addison; and Dakota; great-grandchildren Jaxxon; Carter; Caroline; Asher; Kooper; Tinzley, and numerous nephews, nieces, grand-nephews, grand-nieces, and cousins.

Debbie is preceded in death by her mother Margie Lee Atchley Harris and brother Douglas Leroy Harris.