"A homegoing celebration for Debra Ann Pratt Wallace will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Mt. Zion Spiritual #2 in Marshall, Texas. Interment will immediately follow in Rosehill Gardens Cemetery in Marshall. Mrs. Wallace will have a visitation Friday, December 15, 2017 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Downs Funeral Home. We were blessed on February 22, 1958 with the birth of Debra Ann Pratt Wallace -- the daughter to the late Mrs. Dorothy Jean Pratt Newson and the late Kenneth Ray Taylor, Sr. Born the oldest of 9 children, Debra became the matriarch of her family while being a loving wife of 30 years, a sister, a friend and an inspiration to many. She was called home on Friday December 8, 2017. Born and educated in Marshall, Texas, Harrison County, Debra attained her vocational nursing certificate from Panola College, Carthage, Texas after graduating as a “proud 76’er” of Marshall High School. She amassed a career spanning 35 plus years of nursing. Over her career she diligently cared for those who were convalescing, those recovering from addictions, and most recently providing care for the less fortunate at the Gregg County Health Department in Longview, Texas. Debra’s foundation for the abundance of caring and loving she provided was driven by her love for the Lord. She accepted Christ at an early age and was a faithful and proud member of Mount Zion Spiritual Church, Marshall, Texas. On June 22, 1987, Debra united in matrimony with her husband of 30 years -- William C. Wallace, Jr. Although no children were born to this union, Debra accepted the role as mother, godmother, and mentor to many nieces, nephews, sisters, brothers and family friends. Debra will leave an unfillable void, but leave many heartfelt and cherished memories with her soulmate and best friend, William C. Wallace, Jr. and of course Dexter, her beloved pet companion; her sister; her six brothers; two sisters-in-law; a stepdaughter; six uncles; four aunts; other special friends; her Gregg County Health Department family; and a host of many other relatives & friends. There will be joyous reunion with those who preceded her in death -- her mother and father; her brother, Dexter Dewayne Campbell; her sister, Derdria Pratt; a very special nephew, Devin Newson; and her niece, D’Lyssa Pratt; and her sisterly confidants, Gloria Bell Sneed and Joyce Leonard Hill. May Heaven rejoice. An angel has come home!"

Arrangements under the direction of Downs Funeral Home in Marshall, Texas.

Sources ~ Obituary published by Downs Funeral Home {modified for privacy protection}; along with the Obituary for her mother, Dorothy J. Pratt Newson, which was published in the Thursday, January 12, 1995 Edition of The Marshall News Messenger [Texas Newspaper]