Deborah Carol Roberts

A Funeral Service will be held at the Friendly Foyil Baptist Church on Friday, March 26, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be held at MMS-Payne Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, March 25, 2021 from 1:00p.m. to 7:00p.m. family will be greeting friends from 5:00p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The world lost a beautiful, bright light on March 19, 2021. Deborah Carol Roberts of Claremore passed peacefully, surrounded by her family and friends, after a short but fiercely courageous battle with breast cancer.
Deborah was born October 8, 1969, to parents Donna and Owen Purcell. She graduated from Kellyville High School in 1987 and from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in 1989. Deborah married her love and best friend, Elmer D. Roberts, Jr., on February 5, 1994. Together they raised two strong, remarkable young men, sons Dillon Chase and Austin Dale, who were the light of her life and of whom she was immensely proud.
Deborah spent countless days with Elmer and her sons at the county and other livestock shows where Dillon and Austin showed their steers, never minding the long hours or the mud and muck of the barns. She loved hooking up the RV and going to the different campgrounds around the state. Most of the camping trips were spent with her exploring the area sights, while her two fishermen spent time on the water preparing or competing in tournaments. Deborah enthusiastically attended each of her son’s sporting events during their school years. She also shared her family’s love of “all things OU” and enjoyed attending OU football games, be it hot or cold, rain or shine, win or lose.
Deborah loved using her sewing equipment to make special items for other people, including masks, bags and other creative items that were always popular with friends. She always made new friends where ever she went. It never mattered where she was; Deborah always found a way to start a conversation with folks. As a result, she has many good friends who have always been there for her and family.
Deborah loved life, family and any reason to get out of the house and go visit with someone. She kept up with so many people and families. She always knew when a birthday or anniversary was coming and tried to make as many as possible for her numerous nieces, nephews and others. Always eager to help others, Deborah was an avid supporter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, raising money each year during the Tulsa Walk to End MS event.
Deborah was a remarkable woman; a friend to all and stranger to none. She is survived by, and will be deeply missed by, Elmer, Dillon and Austin, as well as a large extended family: mother, Donna Remer; aunt, Bonnie and husband Chris Duncan; aunt, Barbara Butler; brother, Bryan Purcell, his wife Cindy and their twelve children; brother, Darrell Purcell and his five children; Sister Tammy Purcell Khan, her husband Mo and their three children; step mother Katy Purcell; and countless cousins and great nieces and nephews. Deborah was also loved and will be missed by her “bonus family”: mother-in-law, Kathy Parker; father-in-law, Elmer Roberts, Sr.; and sister-in-law, Vicky Benedict and husband Shelton. She was preceded in death by her father Owen Wayne Purcell; grandmother, Betty Jean Butler; and grandfather, Dewey Chester Butler.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Deborah’s memory to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Salvation Army or your favorite charity.