Deborah Ann Barrett

Much like Mary Poppins descending on 17 Cherry Tree Lane, Deborah Ann Barrett, God’s gift from heaven, descended into our lives and brightened each and every one of them. With a quick brush of her hands and a cheery smile seeing she’d made everything spit-spot, she returned home satisfied with a job well done and a race well run.

Who could have predicted that the first daughter of Air Force fighter pilot Alvin McLean and Missouri farm girl Alene Skiles would be so dog gone wonderful?

Born in Presque Isle, Maine in 1957 as an Air Force brat, she traveled to numerous bases across this land as well as ones in Germany and Spain. She had fond memories of fishing on Grandma Skiles’ farm, wading in the rain-soaked gutters of Kansas, schooling in Germany, swimming in Spain, and winding up running across the 15 freeway in Victorville.

Sharing in these madcap adventures were her brothers and sisters Robert, Jimbo, Linda, Vicki, and Dennis.

Then leaping from the pages of the romance novels she so loved came passion, adventure, comedy, and a steamy, sensuous love that spanned decades.

But enough about her family dog Chica. Let’s talk about her husband, John.

Flames ignited the moment their eyes locked across the common room of the Caballo Dorm at the University of California, Irvine.

Yes, they were out there finding fun, under the warm California sun.

Lust turned to love that lead to marriage and their incredible children, James and Kelly.

Her father did not become a US Air Force fighter pilot and successful businessman by being a shrinking violet. Likewise, life on a Missouri farm teaches one the value of family, teamwork, hard work, and the joys of reaping your own harvest.

This same drive and ambition lead Debbie to a stellar career with Bank of America and then the California Franchise Tax Board. Debbie’s attitude was, “If you don’t want my opinion, don’t ask for it” and she nailed every promotional exam with her personal philosophical statement: “I have an insatiable curiosity. I want to know the answers and if I don’t know it, I want to find it out.” Your state income tax dollars were well protected with Debbie on the prowl.

But her greatest success, as with any mom, were her kids. She was so proud of her son obtaining his BA and then master’s before launching his own career. Gifted with her ability to speak authoritatively on any topic, James put his communication skills to work for the state where he writes, prepares, and presents education and outreach programs up and down the state. She so enjoyed his culinary mastery, too. She had no problem filling her plate with his smoked ribs and briskets.

Her daughter Kelly, gifted with her mom’s ability to charm anyone, began a career in sales and quickly rose to become not only a top producer, but Salesperson of the Year. Additionally, she brought a wonderful addition to the clan with her husband, Johnny. The cliché is no man is good enough for the Mother-in-Law, but Debbie recognized Johnny’s husband material long before Kelly. And what an eye Debbie had as the two produced Debbie’s most cherished accomplishment, granddaughter Quinn.

Through it all, Debbie had indefatigable love for the Lord. At her beloved Oak Avenue Free Methodist Church in Orangevale, she taught children’s bible study, teen bible study, volunteered for Vacation Bible School, cooked wonderful items for the many potlucks, sang in the choir and praise band, and even sang hymns to the Lord on her very last day on this mortal coil.

It is only appropriate we end with the first verse of the very last song she sang: “O Praise Him.”

Turn your ear to heaven

And hear the noise inside

The sound of angel's awe

The sound of angel's songs

And all this for a King

We could join and sing

All to Christ the King

How constant how divine

This song of ours will rise

O how constant how divine

This love of ours will rise will rise