Debra McCoskey Watson, of Homer, Louisiana, died ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­peacefully at home with her family holding her hands and her pets in her lap on the morning of October 23, 2018, after a courageous battle with a rare type of Liver Cancer ended.  Services will be held Thursday, October 25, 2018 beginning at 10am with a time of family visitation at the First Baptist Church of Homer, LA followed by a memorial service at 11am. Services will be officiated by Rev. Brian Thurman.

Debbie was preceded in death by her mother, Zelpha Piper McCoskey, of Haughton, Louisiana.  She is survived by her husband of 37 years, John David Watson of Homer, LA; daughters, Angela Watson Fussell and husband Jay Fussell, of Minden, Louisiana, and Sarah Watson and fiancé Seth Overall, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; granddaughters Vivienne and Madeline Fussell of Minden, Louisiana; Her father, Major Wendell P. (Mac) McCoskey; sister, Rebecca McCoskey Sandifer, brother Randall and wife Denise McCoskey, all of Haughton, Louisiana; and brother Robert and wife Suzanne McCoskey of Dallas, Texas; Brother and Sister-in-law, Ed and Chloe Ellen Watson, of Homer, LA and several nieces and nephews.

Debbie was born September 21, 1960 in Goldsboro, North Carolina.  She graduated from Haughton High School in 1978 and attended Louisiana Tech University. She earned both her Master of Science in Education degree and a Master of Arts degree, as well as completing post graduate work.  She began her teaching career in the fall of 1986 in the private sector, and in the fall of 1989, for the State of Louisiana public school system.  She loved teaching Science and Reading classes to her beloved students and encouraged them to think outside of the box.  She was known to be strict, and consistent, however; she required her students to be kind and respectful of themselves as well as others.  She loved each child as if her own, and her heart would fill to its brim when she would run into a former student and hear their success stories.

Debbie enjoyed playing the sport of golf, playing the piano, watching basketball, traveling the world, loving her many pets and making memories with her family.  Her passion was children's books, and she collected them over her 32 years of teaching.  While preparing to leave this earth, she requested that visitors donate to "Reach out and Read" to provide gently used or new children's book to be given to local children, www.reachoutandread.org . She believed that all children should own a book and learn to love reading.  Donations can also be made to First Baptist Church in Homer, LA or Gideon's International. The family would like to thank St. Joseph's Hospice & Rhonda Shively, RN, Amelia "Sissy" Jeter, FNP-BC & Dr. Salmon, Dr. Amiri & Dr. Samant with the Willis Knighton Liver Transplant Team, Dr. Anil Kaseb with MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Dr.Veluvolu & Dr. Dang with the Willis Knighton Cancer Center.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7