Debra Sue Burchfield Mock

She was born on July 29, 1951, the first-born child of Tony Burchfield and Sue Sinclair Burchfield of Smackover. She attended public school in Smackover where she graduated in May, 1969. Afterwards she attended Southern State College in Magnolia and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education (B.S.E.) in 1974. She began her teaching career at Westwood Elementary School in El Dorado and taught at El Dorado High, Southside Elementary, and Murmil Heights Elementary. During this time she was the Magnet School Coordinator for the El Dorado Public School System as well as the IBM Writing to Read Coordinator. She also served as Adjunct Instructor at South Arkansas Community College. Additionally, she earned a Master of Education degree (M.Ed.) from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia in 1991.

After her service within the El Dorado School District, she implemented and directed the Upward Bound Program at South Arkansas Community College (SACC) in El Dorado where she retired as Director in July, 2013.

Affectionately known as Ms. Mock, Debra was an inspiration to many students, especially those with special needs and those with special gifts. She loved to cook and try out new recipes and to entertain during the holidays. As time permitted, she read for pleasure and worked on her own collection of short stories. Her constant companions were her four-legged children; Rose, Ace, and Lady.

Debra was preceded in death by her father, Tony Burchfield; her father-in-law, W.T. “Buster” Mock; a nephew, Conner Burchfield; brothers-in-law, David F. Childs and Jimmy Mock; and sister-in-law, Linda Mock.

She is survived by her husband, Tommy Mock of El Dorado; her sons, Neil Mock (Anne) of New Orleans, LA, and Nolan Mock of El Dorado. She leaves behind her mother, Sue Burchfield of El Dorado; four brothers, Jeff Burchfield of El Dorado, Barry Burchfield of Fayetteville, Philip and Chris Burchfield both of Atlanta, GA; her two sisters, Anita Childs-Smith (John Lee) and Jackie Dodd (Mike) both of El Dorado; her mother-in-law, Helen Mock of Smackover; and her sister-in-law, Eloise Gatheright (Ronnie) of Smackover. She will be greatly missed by her nieces and nephews and the many colleagues, students, and friends she made throughout her life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to St. Mary’s Endowment Fund, 512 Champagnolle Rd., El Dorado, AR 71730, or the charity of the donor’s choice.

A Requiem will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 25, 2013, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church with Father Bob Allen officiating. There will be a reception with the family immediately following the service. Cremation services were provided by Young’s Funeral Directors.

An online guest registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.