Deborah Anne Zeigler's Obituary
On Monday, November 21st, 2022, Deborah Anne Zeigler our beloved matriarch passed away surrounded by loving family members. She was 74 years old. Born to Ray and Netrola (Nicki) Cleveland in Waco, TX, on February 11th, 1948, Deb later moved to Richardson, TX, and graduated from Richardson High School in 1966. As a young girl, Deb spent her summers in Kenefic, OK, on the farm of her maternal Grandmother and Grandfather, Berneice and Votial Troutman. She loved her Grandmother Berneice dearly, and over the years regularly traveled with Berneice, her mother Nicki, aunts Pat and Estelle, and eventually cousin Elizabeth to Branson, MO, to celebrate Berneice’s birthdays. The ladies continued their travels after Nicki’s death in 2004, and later Berneice’s death at age 99 in 2008.
After high school, Deb attended Southwest Texas State University for two years before returning to the Dallas area to work for her Step-father Vince Palmer selling perfume in the Highland Park area. It was there selling perfume that she met Russell Downey Jr., in 1968, who she later married on January 24th, 1970. Deb gave birth to their first son Chris on September 8th, 1972. The couple moved to Longview, TX, in 1974 and Deb gave birth to their second son Chad on December 4th, 1978. Chad was born with several health problems requiring multiple surgeries through the first few years of his life. Chad would eventually be diagnosed with a chromosome disorder, a condition that made him mentally disabled. A gentle soul who never met a stranger, Chad inherited his love and compassion from his Mom, and brought the light to the world until his death in 2018.
Deb and Russell divorced in 1982. Shortly thereafter, she met the love of her life, John Zeigler. After a few years’ courtship, John asked Deb’s then 12 year old son Chris for his blessing to marry his Mom, and the couple was married in Trinity Episcopal Church in Longview on March 30th, 1985. The couple loved traveling to Mexico and the Texas Hill Country. They even purchased a small plot of land in the Arkansas Ozarks, where they dreamed of one day building a small house in which to retire. However, after combining families and putting 5 sons through college, they decided they’d build their love nest right in Longview, and in 1990 built their house on The Ridge. The couple would host countless family gatherings at The Ridge, multiple Ridge Chili Cook-offs and the weddings of Chris and Kim Downey and Tony and Jackie Marter. John and Deb would eventually downsize, moving to Bramlette Place in Longview where they lived at the time of her death. At Bramlette, the couple was much more easily accessible to their community of dear friends who loved coming to see them.
In May of 1996, Deb was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and had a mastectomy less than 2 weeks later. A few months after and still not fully recovered, she and John traveled with Tom and Eleanor Lawrence to Europe in August 1996. Deb was determined to see the Sprutz Waterfall outside of Gimmelwald, Switzerland, where her son Chris had proposed to his high school sweetheart Kim a couple months earlier. The group traveled to the village deep in the Swiss Alps and Deb, arm still in a sling, made the hour and a half hike up the mountain with the others to the waterfall and the site of “the proposal”. John proposed to her again under the waterfall and they shared tears of joy celebrating Chris and Kim and Deb’s perseverance. In subsequent years, Deb would become active with Reach for Recovery, helping other women, including her daughter-in-law Kim overcome their battles with Breast Cancer.
Even while working in the Oil and Gas industry as an administrator for over 30 years, Deb always found time for her favorite activity, the giving of herself in the service of others. She went on multiple mission trips to Mexico with St. Andrew’s Presbyterian church, served meals to the underprivileged weekly at the Newgate Mission, and poured her heart into perhaps the most special charitable endeavor to her, working at Heartisans Marketplace. Spending over 7 years at Heartisans, she helped oversee the Marketplace’s move to their new facility, and loved having her Grandson Elliott come work with her there.
Deb was preceded in death by her father Ray, mother Nicki, and son Chad Downey. She is survived by her husband John Zeigler, son Chris Downey and wife Kim of Austin, step-son David Zeigler and wife Liz of Plano, step-son Jeff Zeigler and wife Barbara of San Marcos, step-son Mark Zeigler of Dallas, step-son Michael Zeigler and wife Lauren of Brock, grandchildren Abigail, Nathaniel, Peyton, Carter and Elliott, great-grandchildren Johan, Daniel and Dakota, brother Jeff Palmer and wife Elizabeth of Lewisville, brother John Palmer and wife Susan of Waco, brother James Palmer and wife Katy of Seattle, WA, and nieces/nephews Serina, Blake, Meredith and Nicholas.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorials be sent to First Presbyterian Church Longview, or Heartisans Marketplace of Longview. A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, December 3rd, at First Presbyterian Church in Longview, with reception to follow.
"John and I live on the east side of the mountain. It's the sunrise side, not the sunset. It is the side to see the day that is coming, not the day that is gone. The best of the two is the day that is coming, and with it work to do. Done with eyes wide open on the benefit of our past and our grateful hearts." -Deb Zeigler
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