Debbie Lea Delano

Debbie was born in Lubbock, Texas on September 4, 1962, to Kenneth Lawrence Gilmore and Donna Lea Darden. Debbie attended Monterey High School—graduating in 1981. During this time, Debbie met her future husband, Chuck Delano. Chuck and Debbie married on October 14, 1989, at Broadway Church of Christ. Upon leaving the church, the two were greeted by sounds from the Going Band from Raiderland who were marching down Broadway in celebration of Tech’s homecoming. Chuck and Debbie spent 34 wonderful years together and were best friends through and through. Debbie loved her family and was a wonderful mother to her three boys: Tad, Collin, and Caleb. Debbie was the family “glue” (as some would say) and was there to lean on or confide in during hard times—that is what made her a faithful friend, loving family member, and a loyal Texas Tech fan.

Debbie enjoyed sewing, cooking, and gardening. Debbie also enjoyed decorating—with Chuck often joking that Debbie had decor for all four seasons. Debbie looked forward to the holidays, which presented an opportunity for quality time with friends and family. The holiday seasons, however, presented an additional chance to decorate and Debbie did not mind asking anyone within her grasp to help retrieve decor from the family basement. Debbie, a self-taught seamstress and quilter, found pleasure in making quilts for those she loved—although, and to be candid, Debbie had so many designs in mind that she often started one quilt before completing another. Away from her sewing room, the kitchen was Debbie’s domain. Chuck was allowed in the kitchen, so long as he followed Debbie’s rules of kitchen etiquette (a plate or pan in the wrong spot was grounds for expulsion). Following Debbie’s rules of kitchen etiquette, Chuck placed flour in the cupboards—which quickly dwindled away into loafs of bread.

Perhaps most important to Debbie was her relationship with Christ, whom she is now walking alongside in heaven. Debbie touched the lives of numerous individuals and left a lasting impression on so many. Debbie was the beautiful matriarch of the Delano family and will dearly missed. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5–6.

Debbie was preceded in death by her father, Larry. Those left to cherish her memories include her loving husband, Chuck; three children: Tad (Elizabeth) of Lubbock, Texas; Collin (Julia) of Dallas, Texas; and Caleb (Megan) of Lubbock, Texas; mother Donna of Lubbock, Texas; sister Kim (Tommy) Gleghorn of Matador, Texas; brother Mike (Melissa) Gilmore of Kodiak, Alaska; and sister Alison (Dan) Nemesek of Oxford, Mississippi.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on September 13, 2023, at Resthaven funeral home.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on September 14, 2023, at Victory Life Church, 12401 Slide Road, Lubbock, Texas with graveside services to follow at Resthaven funeral home.

Serving as pallbearers are Heath Adcock, Luke Caudill, Rodney Smith, Mike Haney, Tony Heinen and Tommy Gleghorn.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.resthavenfuneralhome.com for the Delano family.