Debra Kay Tenison, age 60

Debra Kay Tenison of Lonoke Ar. was born on May 25th, 1962 in Jacksonville Ar. to Geraldine (Jerry) Neal Long (Mother) and Samuel Louis Tenison (Father). On Sept. 26, 2022 Deb ended  her final chapter on this earth and turned the page. Passing away at the age of 60 she was lifted by the angels to her final home.

Deb’s life was not one of elected offices and positions; it was one of touching lives in many ways, to know her was to love her.

Raised on the family farm she helped with varied tasks from canning/preserving food to driving the tractor establishing a work ethic that carried through her entire life. She took pride in what she did and always gave it her best. Deb did not take the path of least resistance. She met the challenges of life head on and it was not always the easy path. She began her journey truck driving in 1988, no not a pick up a semi-18 wheeler, now you’re getting the picture. Proud of her farming roots she drove under the name “Farmers Daughter”. She literally drove a few million miles through all the lower 48 states, Canada and Mexico just so we could drive a few miles to town to pick up things we wanted. But she still managed to have quality time with her son Jeremy, the light of her life, as well as family and friends. She knew the roads like the back of her hand, the exits and the best mom and pop eating places no matter where it was. If you got lost all you had to do was call Deb. She was the family GPS before GPS became a thing.

She loved truck driving but the time came to get off the road and come home. She went straight into construction learning a new trade and even got her Blasting License. That’s right! She got to blow stuff up legally. She worked road construction many years where everyone knew her as “Tator”. That nickname was bestowed upon her by a wonderful supervisor who thought the world of her. It followed her from then on. When you hit that freeway, you may be looking at flowers/grass she seeded, a hill she blasted or driving over dirt she hauled. She has hauled grain, and last but not least drove a dump truck, building driveways, levies and whatever was needed. Yep, still taking care of us folks out here. So, whether you ever met her or not she probably touched your life in some way.

Nicknames seemed to get attached to her. Known as “Momma Deb” to countless individuals because she was always there to give advice, share her wisdom or just listen. She had many regulars that came for “front porch therapy” and always left happy and in a better place.

She was a one-of-a-kind soul. She was true to her faith and loved the Lord. She was loved by many had a smile for everyone and good things to say that would make their day a little brighter. Her smile was infectious and would put the sun to shame.  When she laughed, she laughed all over, she was genuine through and through. An honest, generous, giving person who never met a stranger, Deb touched the hearts of many people across the United States. Race, culture, financial status, gender or age was never an issue. She saw the world through her own eyes and treated everyone with kindness and respect.

She is preceded in death by her parents Sam and Jerry Tenison.  She is survived by her son Jeremy Tenison daughter-in-law Nikki, two grandsons J.J. and Eli, sisters Elaine Smith of Dawson Springs Kentucky and Sandra Yates (James) of Cabot Ar., one brother Richard L. Tenison (Tammy) of Gassville Ar. and her chosen sister Betty Mackey of Lonoke Ar. She will be missed by all including nieces, nephews, children of all ages and people from all walks of life.

A memorial on Saturday October 15^th 2022 from 11:00am to 1:00pm will be held at Taylor Farms, 4430 Graham Road, Jacksonville, Ar. In Lieu of flowers you can make donations to www.truckersfinalmile.org or to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com