Debra Whitaker Drew

Debra’s adventurous, selfless, and fun-loving spirit will be missed dearly by her family and friends. She was the mover and shaker of the family, the creative dreamer, the life of the party, and always went far out of her way to make others feel loved and special.

Debra was born in Houston, TX on August 10, 1956 to JoNell and Walter Drew. She graduated from Memorial High School in 1974 and went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising from the University of Texas at Austin in 1980.

After sowing her wild oats in Austin, Debra married Russell Whitaker in Houston in 1982. Shortly thereafter, the two moved to the Dallas area where they founded a recording studio and gave birth to two children, Wesley and Ashley. Debra loved her children more than anything else in the world and devoted herself to being a full-time mother. She filled each day with joy, inspiring creativity and limitless curiosity within her children.

In 2003, she returned to Houston to care for her mother and to manage the family businesses, Drew Properties and Drew Ranch. She surprised herself and those around her by proving to be a highly capable and talented property manager. She worked tirelessly managing as many as 70+ tenant relationships across 20+ commercial office buildings and shopping centers. Through her efforts, the rents and values of the properties were multiplied many times over before she finally decided to sell them off.

Debra overcame many great challenges in her life. She was a breast cancer survivor, and was actively involved in the recovery program of Alcoholics Anonymous for over twenty years. She has provided encouragement and served as a positive example to dozens of others struggling with addiction problems.

She loved collecting antiques, riding dirt bikes, and going on adventures of all kinds. She also enjoyed spending time at the family ranch, where she hosted an annual cattle auction. Debra was an amazing daughter, sister, mother, aunt, and friend. She will be missed more than words can possibly express.

Debra is preceded in death by her father, Walter Drew, and brother, DeWitt Drew.

Debra is survived by her mother, JoNell Drew; brother, John Drew; sister and brother-in-law, Charlotte and O’Bannon Cook; son and daughter-in-law, Wesley Whitaker and Julie Wilson; daughter, Ashley Whitaker; granddaughter, Gwendolyn Whitaker; and her nieces and nephews, Melissa & Brian O’Reilly, Jessica & Matt Austin, Diana & Christopher Cook, and Rebecca Cook whom she loved as her own children.

A memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 21, 2013 at the Chapel of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, located at 11140 Greebay, Houston, Texas 77024. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Debra's name to the Wounded Warrior Project, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org.