Deborah Lynn Andrews

Deborah Lynn Andrews passed peacefully on October 5, 2025. Deborah was born December 2, 1955 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Colonel William and Ann Cockayne—her loving and supportive parents. Deborah is survived by her two sons Derek and Garrett Andrews, their wives Stefanie and Joy, her mother Ann Cockayne, her brother, Mike Cockayne, and her two sisters, Sharon Stacey and Barbara Cockayne. As well as many nieces and nephews.

From an early age, Deborah’s passion for service was inspired by her upbringing in an Air Force family. Her father crewed aircraft such as the B-47 and C-130 in Vietnam and Korea as a navigator, served as a missileer, and later as chief of police—examples that sparked her own lifelong dedication to the United States Air Force.

Determined to follow in his footsteps, Deborah attended the University of North Dakota, where she earned a scholarship and degree through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). Though her dream of flying helicopters was grounded by height restrictions (we still love her no matter how short she was), her determination to serve in an operational capacity never wavered. She became a missileer with the Titan II ICBM program—one of the first women to hold an operational role in the Air Force. Together with her father, she made Air Force history as the only father-daughter Titan II missileers. After her time as a missileer, Deborah continued to break barriers, later participating in the B-2 Spirit program, and overseeing a command post in South Korea, among several other active duty and civilian roles in support of the defense of this nation. Her career embodied the spirit of perseverance, proving that women are every bit as capable and essential in operational Air Force roles. Deborah’s drive and perseverance inspired Derek to become an accomplished lawyer. Garrett followed in Deborah’s footsteps, now serving as a pilot in the Air Force.

Following her distinguished service, Deborah devoted herself to raising her two sons, Derek and Garrett. She was a remarkable mother—steadfast, loving, and endlessly supportive. Deborah faced every challenge, including brain cancer, multiple strokes, and countless medical battles, with grace and strength. Despite being given only two months to live, she defied every prognosis and lived another twenty years, even walking out of a stroke rehabilitation center when doctors said she never would. Her faith, devotion to the rosary, and boundless love for her family sustained her through every challenge and triumph.

Deborah undoubtedly set the example for will power and perseverance in the face of adversity, and she—our mother, sister, and daughter—will be deeply missed and forever loved. Those she touched are who they are today because of her example, resilience, devotion, compassion, kindness, humor, strength. unwavering love, and faith.

A visitation for Deborah Andrews will be held Tuesday, November 4, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary, 7944 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92504. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, November 5, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 10915 Pigeon Pass Rd, Moreno Valley, CA 92557. A committal service will occur Wednesday, November 5, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, CA 92518.

In lieu of flowers, we’d kindly ask that donations be made to the American Brain Tumor Association at:

https://www.abta.org/