Debra Lynn Bolin

She was born to Ann J. Duke & Billy D. Duke in Dallas, Texas, and was the second child born to Ann J. and the first born child of Billy D. Duke. Her older brother, Mike Duke, also known as “Red”, influenced Debra as a child with his interests in music and art, which she encouraged her children to pursue as well. Her younger sister, Patty, and younger brother Robert, always knew how to keep family life interesting around the dinner table. During her youth she came to a saving faith in Christ, influenced by family members testimony and faith, especially her father’s cousin, Sim Duke, who led her to faith.

Debbie, an excellent student in school, considered a career in nursing, and worked at St. Paul Hospital in Dallas, Texas, for a short time, but she soon discerned that her true life’s calling was becoming a mom, and eventually a grandmother. During her marriage to Frank Powell, she had three children, Dominic J., Meredith L., and Stephan M. She was a member of Metropolitan Church in Dallas, and often volunteered or served in day care service in church and also for employment in Rowlett, Texas, where her children went to elementary school. She also worked jobs in food service at Monterrey House Mexican Restaurant and KFC in Houston, Burger King in Rowlett, and Whataburger in Garland.

Throughout her years raising children, Debra, helped her children accept faith by teaching them the stories of the bible, the fruits of the Spirit, and raised them to attend church in Dallas, Houston, or Rowlett, wherever they moved. When her first marriage showed signs of decline, Debra moved to Dallas with her friend Bruce Bolin, who eventually married her in Garland a few years after she left Frank and the children to pursue a new life with Bruce.

Debbie’s marriage to Bruce Bolin led her to eventually move to Leonard, Texas, where some of Bruce’s family members lived, worked, and raised their families. Her last job was working for the nursing home in Leonard before her mental health declined, and she moved into the nursing home with her husband. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the nursing home there closed its doors and arranged to move its clients to Seven Oaks Nursing Home in Bonham, Texas. It was there, Bruce passed away from complications with cirrhosis of the liver and heart disease.

When Bruce passed away, Debbie agreed to move closer to her father and brother, Bob, in Terrell at Windsor Nursing Home. She felt like a younger member of the community there, engaged with the Sunday church service, and expressed care for her roommates and those who served her each day, who she loved. She used her relationships to share her faith in Jesus, and she enjoyed making donations to various Christian ministries, reading Christian books, and visiting with family. She is missed at Windsor for her sweet, caring personality, and generosity to others.

Debbie is survived by her father, Billy Duke, her brothers, Mike & Robert Duke, as well as her younger sister, Patty Witt, of Henderson, Texas. Her oldest son lives in Arlington, Texas, and teaches orchestra music in Irving, Texas. She loved visiting with her extended family, and loved her family with all her heart and soul. She was preceded in death by her mother, Ann J., daughter Meredith, and son, Stephan, and both husbands, Frank Powell & Bruce Bolin.

A memorial will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the Riding High Cowboy Church, at 11:00am. Please contact her son, Dominic, with any questions you may have. In the spirit of your memories of her, please consider an offering to a church or Christian ministry you believe in. That’s what she would have wanted.