Deborah Yelverton

Deborah D. "Debby" Yelverton Snell, 56, passed away unexpectedly on November 14, 2022. Debby was born on July 3, 1966, in North Kansas City, Missouri to Ted Snell and Charlene (Bratten) Wheeler. She graduated from North Kansas City High School in 1984. She attended Calvary Bible College to pursue a degree in Christian Counseling.

Debby was married to Claude M. Yelverton from 1990-1995. They had a son, Niketa D’Shawn Yelverton March 1992. Debby began working for the Kansas City Police Department as a civilian worker in 1985. On January 7, 1990, she was appointed to the department as a Kansas City Police Officer, serving the community until she medically retired in July 2013. After retirement, she worked in various jobs until she returned to the Kansas City Police Department as a civilian worker. In June 2021, she became a caseworker at the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office Child Support Enforcement division.

Debby will be remembered for her fierce love of Jesus and passion for people. You could find her sitting at the table cracking jokes, telling stories, or sharing her knowledge of the word of God. She was an active and dedicated member of Solid Rock Bible Church (Avondale Baptist Church) and was serving as a computer technician for the online services ministry. Her love for children led to her 15-year tenure in the AWANA children’s ministry program. She also served on two mission trips to Brazil in 2004 & 2005. Debby enjoyed serving as chair alongside of her twin sister Kathy, for the church’s annual Thanksgiving dinner each year for the past 20 years. Debby was an avid crafter and wasn’t afraid to try new endeavors.

Debby is preceded in death by paternal grandparents Paul and Anne Snell, maternal grandparent Rose Bratten, Mother Charlene (Bratten) Wheeler, stepsister Laurie Betts, Aunt Lucy Vaughan, Uncle JB Vaughan, and many fur babies.

Debby is survived by son Niketa Yelverton; Father Ted and stepmother Nancy Snell; twin sister Kathy (Tom) Epley; brother Mont Snell; half-sisters Brandy (Jim) White, Beth (Kenneth) Taylor, Jenn (Mark) Hendrix; stepsiblings Steve (Tammie) Betts, Angela Betts; many nieces, nephews, cousins; and pet birds, Larry-Bird and Alfie.

A Visitation for Deborah will be held Saturday, November 26, 2022, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, followed by a Celebration of Life from 12:30PM to 1:30 PM, both at Solid Rock Bible Church, 2501 NE Parvin Road, Kansas City, MO 64116. Later that afternoon, a Graveside Service will occur at 2:30 PM at White Chapel Cemetery, 6600 NE Antioch Road, Gladstone, MO 64119. In addition to flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Solid Rock Bible Church Benevolent Fund at 2501 NE Parvin Road, Kansas City, MO, 64116.

The family would like to thank all the First Responders, Missouri Highway Patrol, and the North Kansas City Hospital ER and ICU staff for their efforts, care, and passion in helping at our most vulnerable time. We would also like to thank White Chapel, Kansas City Police Department, and the members of Solid Rock Bible Church in supporting us so that we may celebrate the life of Debby.