She was preceded in death by her son, Patrick Dalton Murphy, and her parents Ole Gene Rathbun and Annette Rathbun. She is survived by her daughter, Paree Jeanette (Murphy) Gatewood; grandsons, Zane Murphy, Zaden Murphy and Lincoln Gatewood; sister, Dana Burton; and daughter-in-law, Desiree Fike.
As a youngster, growing up in Raytown and participating in campfire girls, Debi worked at the Blue Ridge Mall, Velvet Freeze and Card Cage, then at AT&T for 15 years before making the decision to stay home with her children and serve as a missionary with Noland Road Baptist Church traveling to Antigua.
A passion throughout her life, antiques would serve as her final professional endeavor as the owner and operator of her own antique store.
Debi will be missed by her cherished rescue cats and all that knew her.
Debi’s celebration of life, followed by graveside services, will be held Tuesday, November 1st, 12:30-2:30pm at Newcomer’s Floral Hills, in Raytown, Missouri.
Donations, in memory, should be directed to The American Cancer Society.
