Debbie DeSpain Kitchens

Debra Cook DeSpain Kitchens

August 11, 1960 ~ October 6, 2021

Debbie DeSpain Kitchens, 61, of Stephenville,  Wednesday, October 6, 2021, in Stephenville.

Memorial services for Debbie will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, October 10th at Graham Street Church of Christ with Glenn Newberry, and David Bearden officiating.

Debbie was born on August 11, 1960, in Brownwood to Jerry and Carolyn Ann Moore Cook.  She was baptized at the Smithville Church of Christ in 1973, and graduated from Smithville High School in 1978, and attended Tarleton State University. She married Alan DeSpain in 1979.  Following Alan’s death, Debbie married Joel Kitchens in 1996.  Debbie was a long time member of Graham Street Church of Christ.

Debbie began serving children as house parents to foster children with her husband, Alan at Medina Children’s Home, Medina, TX and later as house parents at Foster’s Home for Children.  They moved when Alan became the minister at Evant Church of Christ.  After Alan’s sudden passing in Evant, Debbie returned with their 3 sons, Jeremy, Brett & Lee to Stephenville. She began work as a Case Mgr. at Foster’s Home.  After their marriage, Debbie & Joel Kitchens served as house parents at Foster’s Home, (she talked Joel into it-he grew to love the ministry, too)!  Debbie joyfully and selflessly served the needs of children in foster care over 27 years.

Debbie was preceded in death by her father, Jerry Cook in 2013, and first husband, Alan DeSpain in 1994.

Debbie is survived by her husband, Joel Kitchens of Stephenville; sons, Jeremy DeSpain & wife, Ashlie of Georgetown, Bret DeSpain & wife, Michelle of Yukon, OK, Lee DeSpain of Stephenville, Jarrett Kitchens & wife, Emma of Stephenville, Justin Kitchens of Houston, TX. daughters,  Bobbie Stone & husband, Mike of Stephenville, Chelsea Kitchens of Florida and Bethany Kitchens of Stephenville. Debbie’s mother, Carolyn Cook of Sydney, TX and sister, Sherry Cook of Stephenville; Grandchildren, Grace, Jediah, Benjamin & Faith DeSpain; Bryclyn, Mason & Teagan DeSpain; Olivianna Kitchens; Cody, Colby, and Cameron. Debbie is survived by a multitude of foster children, unnamed here for fear of leaving one off this long list of those she dearly loved.

Expressions of sympathy for the family of Debbie may be made in the form of donations to:

Foster’s Home for Children

254-968-2143 ext. 241

or

All Saints Health Foundation – Transplant Division

817-922-7711

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