Debbie Lynn Armstrong Speers was born on Thursday, January 12, 1956 in Joplin, Missouri, and passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her friends and family on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at the age of 70. She fought her battle with Grace, Strength, and Courage and a Faith that ran deep and strong. Although she attended Baptist churches, she always said, “I’m not a Baptist, I’m a Christian”.
Debbie graduated from Southeastern State College in May 1979 with a degree in English. Even after her brain surgery in January 1979 and began a career of teaching in September 1979. She then went back to Southeastern to obtain a masters degree in School Administration in 1989, becoming an Assistant Principal then Principal. Her career in the school systems of Caney, Kingston and Milburn spanned more than 30 years.
Debbie was the oldest child of a single, working mother. Debbie had to grow up fast in order to care for her little brother and sister, helping her mom cook, clean and making sure that Greg and Gail got to school.
Until her dad, Frank Armstrong, came into their lives, that’s when a family of four became five. Even then she didn’t stop being a big sister, she didn’t stop working, she was known as “The blonde paper girl”. She had a paper route that took her all over Durant and Silo and places in between delivering not only the Durant Democrat and Denison Herald but sometimes the Tulsa World, Daily Oklahoman, and the Dallas Morning News, and continued even after she married, driving her convertible Volkswagon thing.
Debbie married her soulmate, the love of her life, Steve Speers, on January 4, 1975 when she was 18 and Steve was 19. People said the marriage wouldn’t last but almost 52 years later- she showed them.
Debbie was preceded in death by her precious mom and dad, Jean and Frank Armstrong; son-in-law, Brandon Yates; brother-in-law, Rick Jones; sister-in-law, Patti Hale; and her 2nd dad, Winfred Speers.
Left to carry on her legacy of family, love and giving are her husband, Steve, of the home; daughters, Staci Yates of Durant, Stephanie Wingo and husband Trey of Durant; and her joy, her heart, her grandbabies, Chloe Jae Speers Wingo, Jory D. Allen, Robert “Bo” Wingo, Briar Lynn Wingo, and Chancey Smith; her brother, Greg Armstrong and wife Melinda of Houston, Texas; sister, Gail Armstrong of Durant; brothers-in-law, Mike Speers of Durant, and Larry Hale of Sherman, Texas, and her second mom, Frances Speers of Durant. Also left to cherish her memory are her sisters-in-Love, Terri Towne of Colbert, Okla., Debbie Jones of Saginaw, Texas, Sheri Speers of Durant, Okla., Robin Jarrett of Durant, Okla., and Teri Franks of Chico, Texas; These ladies plus her sister, Gail, were there to take care of , to love on, to lend a hand, or a shoulder to cry on, as Debbie fought her final battle. Plus she leaves behind uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins, that she loved and that loved her.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, at Calvary Baptist Church with Bro. Roger Speers and Kevin Angel officiating. Pallbearers will be Stephen Speers, Trey Wingo, Bo Wingo, Briar Wingo, Jory Allen, Chloe Wingo, Chancey Smith, Staci Yates, and Stephanie Wingo.
Debbie’s family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, at Brown’s Funeral Home in Durant.
Arrangements under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service.