Debra June Grayson

Debra June Grayson was born Debra June Hooper on February 1, 1960 in Tahlequah, OK, the daughter of Rufus Hooper and Naomi Ruth (Kemp) Gibson. The family home was in Antlers, then the Oklahoma City Area. When Debra talked about her childhood, she often spoke fondly of her granny’s house. Granny’s house made everything better. She would tell stories about her mom, siblings, and cousins. She told stories of what it was like going to the schools she went to and all the mischief she got into for the fun of it. She loved life in the country, there was always something to do. She graduated from Jones High School and then began her studies at Rose University. It was there where she met a very dear friend, Mary Barkesdale, who relocated her to Tahlequah, OK. Once she made it to Tahlequah, she met a young handsome man by the name of Webster Grayson, and it was love at first sight. They were married on December 4th,1984 at his parents’ home in Tahlequah, OK. Together they cherished the life they shared together with their 2 daughters, 2 sons, a daughter in law and 6 grandbabies.

Debra was an excellent storyteller. She made sure her family never forgot these stories as she wrote everything down and placed them carefully into books. Her hope was for her family to find comfort in sharing their stories around the table one day. She was a dreamer, with dreams as big as you could imagine. She saw the beauty in all things around her. She was a creator of many things. With her, nothing was impossible. Whether it was a costume for one of the kids, potholders for our kitchens, blankets to keep you warm, a bow sock for the bows, or a simple craft she found off Facebook. She would make a gift for anyone just to simply say, “I thought of you today!” To know Debra was special. She was the type of person you would want in your corner. She encouraged you to believe in yourself and go after your dreams. She was always willing to help a person in need and never asked for anything in return. She loved the people she met, especially when it came to the fellowship of friends at the cornstalk shoots or marble games. She took pride in calling herself their camp cook and loved taking food out for them so they could eat after a long game. She enjoyed the company.

Debra was always ready for a long trip on the road to see Her best friend Ruth Duncan, or just to see the beautiful leaves as they turned in the autumn air, and finding a bargain at the local yard sales. She found the value in pictures and wanted lots of them. She loved any reason for a get-together. She loved hearing her family’s laughter throughout the house. Most of all, her time spent with family is what she treasured the most. She never missed the chance to tell them she loved them and how proud they made her.

For all the plans she had in life, her life came to a close on February 27th, 2025 after a gallant fight with illness. She was 65 years old and leaves a legacy of love and happy memories.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Anna Mae and Joe Kemp and Nannie Hooper, her parents, Naomi Ruth and Rufus Hooper, one brother, Doug Hooper and two sisters, Letha James and Christine Hooper.

Those left to cherish her memory include her beloved husband Webster Grayson of the home in Tahlequah, OK and her beloved children, Jennifer Grayson, Justin Grayson, Wyntre Grayson, and Jesse Grayson and wife Katera all of Tahlequah, OK. She leaves her brothers and sister, Terry Hooper and wife Denise, Joe Hooper and wife Tina, Jerry Hooper, all of Tahlequah, Larry Parish and companion Terri July of Muskogee, and Stacey Gibson of Tahlequah, OK.She leaves her six beloved grandchildren, Reigyn Grayson, Angel Grayson, Conner Grayson, Aziekiel Grayson, Zane Grayson, and Jeremy Grayson, all of Tahlequah, OK. There are very special friends, Ruth Duncan of Rose, OK and Donna Hamby of Tahlequah, OK, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.

Funeral services for Debra Jane Grayson will be conducted on Thursday, March 6th, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Reed-Culver Chapel with Brother Dennis Sixkiller officiating. The family will receive guests on Wednesday, March 5th, 2025 beginning at 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Reed-Culver Chapel. She will be laid to rest at Tahlequah City Cemetery along with the rest of her family.

Pallbearers for Deb include Justin Grayson, Jesse Grayson, Reigyn Grayson, Conner Grayson, Larry Parish and Wesley Parish. Her honorary pallbearers include Web Grayson, her beloved husband and Zeke “Cho-Cho” Grayson, Zane Grayson, and Jeremy Grayson.