Deborah "Debbie" McGehee

Deborah (Debbie) Ann McGehee finished her race and went to be with her Lord Monday, January 8th, 2024. She will be remembered as a wonderful wife, mom, Mimi, and sister to many people. She truly gave herself to those around her and to the responsibilities she had no matter what they were.

She was born in Bridgeport, TX on September 19th, 1958 to Charles Spurgeon Nevels and Patricia Jeanne Nevels. She was the second of four children. Her father worked for Gulf Oil, and the family lived in several places in Texas throughout her growing-up years including Bridgeport, Sinton, Portland, and Monahans. In 1970 she and her family weathered through hurricane Celia in their garage. She would tell stories later of seeing a neighbor’s house picked apart by a tornado and hearing their own top story ripped off in the winds. Living near the Gulf of Mexico for many years, she enjoyed fishing for all kinds of ocean fish. In her early teens, she taught herself how to play the guitar, and in high school she played the clarinet. Her highschool band was chosen to play in the Rose Bowl Parade one year, but she remembered it being so cold, most of them couldn’t even play their instruments.

In January of 1982, she moved to be with her parents and younger sister in Norman, Oklahoma. She started going to school at OU, studying physical therapy. In the same month, she began attending Norman Christian Fellowship (later called Tabernacle of the Congregation). This became her church family for the rest of her life. She met her future husband George Thomas (Tommy) McGehee there, and they were married December 18th. 1982. She was a stay-at-home wife and mom. She and Tommy had four children together, a daughter in 1985, followed by two sons (1987 and 1989), and another daughter in 1994..

Debbie was a great cook, and her recipes for Macaroni Casserole and Baked Beans are some of the family staples. She loved gardening, and belonged to the Oklahoma Organic Gardening Association for many years. Getting outside and planting vegetables and flowers gave her great joy. She also loved birds, and would always tell her grandchildren which birds were coming to her feeders. Another pastime Debbie enjoyed was working on puzzles. She could snap puzzle pieces in circles around everyone else. She loved to fish when she had the chance. And it always seemed that no matter what or how they fished, she always out-fished everybody in the family. Music was always important to Debbie, especially worship. She played the mandolin and then the guitar during their church’s worship up until the last few weeks of her life.

In March of 2007, Debbie became a Mimi for the first time. She adored her six grandsons and two granddaughters, and loved being with them. She was a Mimi who would get on the ground and play trucks, and dolls, and enjoyed having her grandchildren in her lap to read books to them.

In December of 2020, Debbie was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. She tackled it just like she did everything in life, with a “Get in there and get it done” attitude. She walked through chemo, surgery, and radiation with beauty and grace. Her family and church rallied around her, and her faith and trust in God brought her through. In 2022 she was cancer free.

Debbie enjoyed much in the last year and half of her life. She spent time with her beloved family, traveled to several places, and in December of 2022, went to St. Lucia with Tommy to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. In December of 2023, Debbie found out that the cancer had returned, and was advanced. She planned to start chemo again, but the Lord had other plans. She passed away very peacefully at home with her family surrounding her 2 ½ weeks later.

Debbie loved her family dearly. She wanted nothing more than to see her husband, children, and grandchildren doing well, and fulfilling all God had for them. And she gave herself wholeheartedly to helping them do that in every way she could. She also loved the brothers and sisters she had in her church family. Debbie always desired to encourage and bless those around her. She would tell it like it was, but with a genuine love. She knew that with all of God’s strength and grace, you have to get in there, and get done what He has called you to do. She will be missed greatly, but not forever!

Debbie is preceded in death by her father, Charles Nevels, and her mother, Patricia Nevels. She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Tommy McGehee, daughter Rachel McCormick (husband Josh) and their sons: Nathan, Daniel, Josiah, and Samuel; son Matthew and his son: Noah; son Peter (wife Elisabeth) and their children: Claire and James; daughter Hannah Myers (husband Joseph) and their children: Joy and soon-to-be Baby Boy; her brother David Nevels (wife MaryJane); brother Mark Nevels (wife Sharla); sister Kathy Howery (husband Mark); and four nieces, Kristin, Caitlin, Alyssa, and Jenna.

“Well done, good and faithful servant…. Enter into the joy of your Lord!”