with her son and daughter at her side on December 25, 2021 after a courageous battle against
pancreatic cancer.
She was born January 22, 1956 in Memphis, Tennessee, graduated from Wooddale High School in 1974, and went on to attend the University of Memphis as a business major. She lived her entire life until recently in Memphis, Tennessee. She was a highly regarded and exceptional customer service manager at Bryce International Corporation for 39 years and loved working with her clients and giving them the best service possible. Most of all, she was a devoted daughter, mother, grandmother, (Mimi), sister, and aunt and loved spending time with family. Debbie was a certified Master Gardener and had volunteered for many years at the Memphis Botanical Gardens. She had also recently begun playing bridge and competing in tournaments. Debbie was an avid supporter of her favorite sports teams–the Dallas Cowboys, University of Memphis Tigers, and University of Tennessee Vols. She grew up bowling
alongside her mother and went on to win many trophies. She will be remembered for many
kindnesses and talents, not the least of which was the daily care she provided for her mother for
almost a decade when she developed dementia.
Debbie is survived by her son and his wife, Christopher Sexton and Melissa Sexton; her daughter
and partner, Christina Sexton and Devin Elder; grandchildren, Charles Sexton, Annabel Sexton,
Logen Elder, Kala Stallings, Orin Stallings and Sierra Stallings; sister, Dorothy Stewart and her
husband, Bob Stewart; niece and her husband, Kelli Demarest and Chuck Demarest; niece,
Shannon Stewart and her partner, Adam Sekuler; great nieces, Whitney Bray and Camryn
Demarest, and Randy Sexton, her former husband. She was preceded in death by her parents,
Helen and Charles James, and will be laid to rest by their sides.
A graveside service will be held on January 8, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Memphis Memory Gardens Cemetery located at 6444 Raleigh Lagrange Road, Memphis, TN 38134. A reception will follow the graveside from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to all the supportive friends and medical
staff in Memphis and Houston, Texas who cared for her during her cancer journey. In lieu of
flowers, her family is requesting that donations be made in her honor to the Memphis Botanical
Gardens (Iris Garden), her favorite garden.
