Debra is survived by her husband, Vern Benke Jr., of 15 years; her son Nick Godwin of Mount Pleasant; her step son Vern Benke III; her grandchildren Waylon Godwin, Wyatt Godwin, Morgan Benke, and Ethan Benke; and her sisters Nancy Pitts and Jan Scott. Debra was preceded in death by her parents, Sidney Person and Katie Trottman Person of Collierville, TN.
Debra was born in Memphis, TN and raised in Mount Pleasant, MS. She attended Marshall Academy in Holly Springs, MS and Northwest Community College in Senatobia, MS
Debra retired from Federal Express. She worked in sales and was awarded the Presidential Award for U.S. Sales Account Representative of the Year twice. Along with her husband Vern, Debra owned and operated Awedaddy’s Bar and Grill in Gallatin, TN along with her husband Vern
Debra was known by her Grandchildren as Deedee. Debra never met a stranger and was loved by all that knew her. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, wife, and sister. She loved her family with everything she had. Debra considered all of her friends to be her family, especially her restaurant “family” from Awedaddys. Debra was one of a kind and will be greatly missed by so many.
Services will be held Friday April 29, 2022 at Collierville Funeral Home. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 11:00am-2:00pm with the service beginning at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family request any donations be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
