Debbie was born on January 28,1950 to Wanda Mae Guidry and Thomas Hanks in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the first of five children. Shortly after her arrival, the family moved to the Brazosport area where she would spend a majority of her life. She prided herself on her academic accomplishments and attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Freeport, TX and continued to Brazosport High School. In the whirl of high school she had a fortuitous encounter: Michael Davis. She and Michael dated off and on, but when graduation came they went their separate ways - she to Southwest Texas State in San Marcos, TX and him to Lamar University in Beaumont, TX. She later joined him and the two were ultimately married in 1970. She graduated with a Degree in Speech Language Pathology in 1972.
Debbie treasured her decades as a speech therapist at Brazosport Independent School District, where she helped hundreds of children, some with severe learning disabilities who were unable to speak at all. She spent her professional career helping others to communicate.
However, her greatest joy was in her family. She and Michael had three rambunctious boys: Thad, Aaron and Trey. Together they created a family full of laughter and unconditional love. But that happiness was short lived: months after Trey’s birth Debbie was unexpectedly widowed.
She vowed to raise her sons with the qualities she admired most in Michael and she herself displayed: loyalty above all else, the value of hard work, and the reward of family. Her legacy lives on in her nine grandchildren.
Debbie was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Davis, mother Wanda Hanks, father Thomas Hanks and brother in law Bob Cobb. She is survived by sons Thad Davis, his wife Ashley, and their children Michael and Josie, Aaron Davis, his wife Logan, and their children Bodie, Sloane, and Maggie, and Trey Davis, his wife Amber and their children John, Jackson, Chelsea and Kensy. She is also survived by her siblings Tina Cobb, Jim Hanks and wife Debbie, Mike Hanks and wife Tami, and Kelly Hanks and numerous nieces and nephews.
A viewing is scheduled for 5pm - 8pm on Tuesday June 20th at the Restwood Funeral Home located at 1038 Plantation Drive in Clute. A rosary will take place at 7pm. A funeral mass is scheduled for Wednesday June 21st at 10 am at St. Michael’s Church in Lake Jackson.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society through St. Michael’s Catholic Church.
