Deborah Barnett Burrows

Deborah (Debbie) Burrows was born October 3, 1960, in Houston, Texas to Don and Patricia Barnett. Later Pat, Debbie and her two younger siblings, Steve and Joanne, moved to San Antonio, Texas. There, while attending Churchill High School and Parkhills Baptist Church, Debbie would meet David Burrows.

Debbie's passion was music. She won numerous awards and statewide recognition for her vocal talents. She received a full choral scholarship to the University of Texas, and was twice offered recording contracts, one with a Country label and another with a Christian one. Her ultimate desire, though, was not to pursue professional music. Debbie felt called into Christian ministry. It would turn out that her calling was as a pastor's wife.

On August 6, 1982, Debbie married David. Together they served in seven different churches, most recently at First Baptist Church in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

In 1987 Debbie and David adopted their daughter, Kelly. Kelly was the joy of Debbie's life and was her closest friend.

Debbie worked in several jobs. Most recently she was an HR Specialist with New Mexico State University.

This past February, Debbie was diagnosed with cancer. She wanted to keep it as private as possible, so she never made it public. This was an aggressive and hostile cancer. She fought it bravely and did everything she was asked to do by her doctors.

Through all of this, Debbie maintained her faith and love for Jesus. She wanted to fight to live but understood if she could not live then she would serve Christ as an example of faith. And fight she did. Her chemo was brutal. She was sick and in pain for the better part of two months. And through it all, she still loved and served Jesus and others.

Some might say she lost her fight with cancer, but she did not. She won. Not because she was cured or healed, but because her Savior never abandoned her or let her down. Jesus promised her eternal life. That is what she has.

On October 20, Debbie passed from this life to the next. She was victorious. She is with Christ and those family members and friends in Christ who proceeded her.

She leaves behind so many cherished memories, and so many people she cared about. She loved the wives of the different Pastors at First Baptist Church, Las Cruces. Their children were precious to her.

Debbie is survived by her husband, Dr. David Burrows; daughter, Kelly; mother, Pat; brother, Steve and family; sister, Joanne and family; sister-in-law, Kim and family; sister-in-law, Debbie and family; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She leaves behind her two dogs she loved so much, Finn and Calli.

Paul wrote that "to live is Christ, but to die is gain." Debbie gained everything in her passing. She gained eternal life with Christ. She will be missed, but she is with the Lord. And for that we celebrate her life.In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Compassion International or Charitywater.org.

The family invites all who cannot attend the funeral service at the First Baptist Church on Monday, October 24, 2022 in Las Cruces, New Mexico to watch the service via livestream at fbclascruces.online.church . You can watch by going to the website, Facebook or on YouTube. Services will start at 10am mountain time or 11am central/standard time.

The family will receive friends from 6:00pm – 8:00pm on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at Porter Loring North Chapel.

GRAVESIDE SERVICETHURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 202210:00 AMHILL COUNTRY MEMORIAL GARDENS11700 W STATE HIGHWAY 46, NEW BRAUNFELS, TX 78132