Debra Lawrence, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the age of 74.
Debra retired in 2005 from her position as Sales Office Manager at PrintXcel. Her passion for customer service and strong leadership skills gained her respect from both the customers she served and the sales teams she managed.
She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family and friends, where her warm heart, beautiful smile and vibrant personality brought so much joy to those around her. Debra’s love for sports resulted in many chants of “Roll Tide” on Saturdays and “Come on Blue” when she didn’t like a call made by an umpire at her grandkids games.
Debra is preceded in death by her mother, Betty Manders Reece and her aunt, Bonnie Woodman.
She is survived by her loving husband of 20 years, Tom Lawrence; her children, Windy (Todd) Englett of Katy, TX, Lance Howard of Midlothian, TX and Amy (Angel) Eskayda of Ocean Springs, MS; her stepchildren, Katie (Jake) Barry and Tony (Bonnie) Lawrence; her grandchildren, Andrew Englett, Brady Englett, Brodie Howard, Blake Howard, Connor Barry, Gavin Barry and Eden Eskayda; her sister, Paula Clark; and uncle and aunts, Pete (Catherine) Manders, Martha Stinson, and Glenda Lipscombe.
A service to celebrate Debra’s life will be held at Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road in Daphne, at 11AM on Thursday, March 26, 2026. There will be a reception and time of visitation following the service.
Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.
Although I only knew Debra for a short time, her pleasant voice and sweet smile made a big difference in my day at Loma Alta. She will be dearly missed. ❤️
Thanks Jeanie! Debra and I really appreciated all the support you provided in making Loma Alta a place we enjoy calling home.
Our deepest sympathy to you all.
We will always be thankful for the love and care Debra gave our dear niece and god child Amy after the death of my sister Beth.
In this time of loss, may you be surrounded by compassion, lifted by love and comforted by the memories that remain close to your heart.
Barb, Mike, Nicole, and Sydney Watunya
Thanks Barb. Debra cherished her role as being Amy’s mom and loved helping her become the fine lady she is today.
Never saw Debra without a smile on her face except for the time she took a fall while out walking with her beloved husband Tom. She is already greatly missed.
Thanks Judy! Yes her smile brightened the room and was one of the many reasons people enjoyed being around her. We really appreciate how you made us feel welcomed at Loma Alta as well as all the prayers and support you provided over the past 5 months of Debra’s difficult journey.
Oh Debra, i am so glad i got to meet you. Always a smile on your face! You were such a loving lady with a deep love for Tom and your family. Rest in peace.
Prayers for your family…
Thank you Kim. Yes she brought much joy and love to our family and friends.
Debra was the life of the party and lit up every room she walked into. We are so blessed we got to spend time with her last summer. Thoughts and prayers for everyone 🙏❤️
Thank you Adam and Hanna! She really enjoyed being part of your celebration of the new chapter in your lives.
Debra was truly one of a kind—the kind of person who lit up every room she walked into. She was the life of the party, always the first one on the dance floor, pulling everyone in with her laughter and joy. You could always count on Debra—whether it was for a smile, a hug, or an unforgettable adventure. She was the best vacation buddy, turning every trip into a memory we’ll cherish forever.
Her sweet Alabama accent made everything she said just a little warmer, a little more special.
More than anything, Debra brought people together. She had a way of making everyone feel included, loved, and part of something special. That is a gift not many have, and it’s one we will carry with us always.
She will be deeply, dearly missed—but never forgotten. Her laughter, her energy, and her love will live on in all of us. Thanks for treating me like a true sister Cuddles and I loved you so much
Thank you Tina and Steve! We really enjoyed all the fun times we had on vacations with you as well as our times at family gatherings. I also appreciate all the support and love you provided during Debra’s difficult journey. In addition, your providing all the “Memorial Lanterns” for the family to send up in the sky was amazing! I am sure just like the lanterns were shining up on Debra, she was shining down on us for the tribute to her life that you coordinated.
We will miss Debra so much! Holding tight to all the amazing memories we’ve had, these last few years especially. Debra always lit up the room and had a contagiously fun personality. There was never a dull moment when spending time together. Telling her joke that made us laugh harder each time we heard it, drinking pickle martinis, endless laughs, cabining in Chetek, prepping for the weddings, and getting our nails done, she always added a little extra sparkle to everything we were doing.
Sending extra love and prayers to Tom and all of Debra’s family and friends.
Love,
Jessi and Wesley Sobieszek
Thank you Jessi and Wes! Yes we enjoyed some great times together and I know Debra really appreciated you allowing her to be part of the celebration of the next chapter in your lives. And yes, it did allow her to share “washy washy” with a few new folks.as well as with those of us who have laughed at it over the years.
Debbie’s son, Lance played on the original Rawdog Baseball Team. Debbie was part of the original Rawdog family that other groups could never compare. She became more than a supportive mom, but a part of a bigger family that always picked right back up like we saw each other everyday. She was so much fun, as well as would jump right in and do whatever the boys needed. She will be sadly missed by all, but honored she was a part of our lives! Prayers for Lance, Windy & the whole family! Love you, Debbie!💕🙏⚾️💕
Thank you Vickie! Debra shared many “Rawdog” stories with me. Through those stories you could tell she cherished the friendships she gained during those many years of cheering the team on to victories.
A true southern belle with such an amazing personality! The world is a little dimmer without her presence. Prayers for Tom and family.
Debra was a great lady. She and Tom always made my family feel very welcome when we would stop by on our family trips. I always enjoyed my and Debra’s back and forth on FB during college football season. Our thoughts and sincere condolences to Tom and Debra’s many friends and family members. She will be missed.
Thank you Leita! Yes her fun loving personality would brighten up everyone’s day.
Thank you Andy! I know she had a great time on your last visit to the area… even if she couldn’t get a “Roll Tide” out of you.
No statement is all that could be said. I’m so grateful that Debra was my friend & I will miss her. Tom: you loved Debra as Christ loved his church.
God bless you all
Thank you Taylor. We really appreciated all the support and prayers you provide during her difficult journey as well as all the friendship you provided over the years.
Debra, you will be missed. I enjoyed working with you during our PrintXcel / Cenveo days. We would fight about business one moment and then be laughing and enjoying our fellowship the next moment.
Most of all, thank you for making my friend, Tom, happy for so many years. I loved Tom and could tell something was missing. When you came into his life, Tom’s life seemed to be balanced and his happiness came shining through.
You made such a difference in his life.
Thank you Paul! Yes Debra had a way of showing respect for those who may have a difference of opinion than her’s and also being open to learning from these. Her ability to properly channel this was one of the many traits that drove her success in business and resulted in many friendships, such as the one she enjoyed with you.
I was so shocked and sad to hear of Debra’s passing. Betty and I just happened to be in Gulf Shores on vacation the weekend she and Tom were married and they insisted we attend. She was so gracious and welcoming to us. We subsequently met her and Tom for dinner a few times and she seemed to enjoy Tom and me reminiscing about old times. She was so kind to Betty and me. Tom, you and your whole family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Thank you Gene and Betty. I know she looked forward to our times together. You both had a way of making her feel welcomed.
She was truly the best boss I have ever worked for! She was such a great mentor to me. When we worked at PrintXcel together it never felt like she was my boss more like a great friend. She made working there so much fun. She will be missed. Keeping you all in my prayers.
Thank you Susan! Yes one of her greatest strengths was her ability to develop strong team members. This was due to her great listening skills and her hands on approach to managing her team. I know some of her greatest memories are those she made working with the PrintXcel sales team.
I had worked with Debra several times when we were both in the printing business. You could never meet a nicer person, who truly loved people. Prayers for Tom and the family in this difficult time. May your precious memories bring you comfort.
Thank you Steve! We really appreciate the prayers and the friendship you showed over the years of working with her.
So much fun we had together. She will greatly be missed.
She will greatly be missed. Always smiling and full of fun.
Thank you Leif! Our trips to Lynchburg were some of our most enjoyable ones. You and Theresa always made us feel welcomed and made sure there was a fun agenda planned.
I grew up with Debby on Daytona Dr. Off the parkway. Sweet neighbor and great friend. Rest in peace.
Thank you Marilyn. Debra shared many “Daytona Drive” stories with me. It was obvious she enjoyed the friendships from those days.
I would like to thank everyone for the love, support and prayers that were provided for Debra during her difficult journey over the past 5 months. I would also like to say thanks to all that made her 74 year journey such an enjoyable one. There are some very common themes I hear when her family and friends describe Debra. These include her passion for life, her engaging personality and her “room brightening” smile. I am sure she would say that these types of characteristics were made possible because she surrounded herself with loving and caring people such as you. While her time with us was way too short, we were very blessed to be able to enjoy the time we did have with her and for that she and I will always be very grateful for the love you showed for this amazing lady.