Barksdale, Debra L. 1953-2024 Kansas City, Mo.

By NewsPress Now

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Debra Lynn (David) Barksdale, 70, passed away Sunday, July 7, 2024, after a long battle with glioblastoma (brain cancer).

Debby, as she was known to friends and family, was born Sept. 21, 1953, to John and Jewell Dean David, in St. Joseph. Throughout her childhood Debby was surrounded by her younger brother, Mike, their loving grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. Debby always loved school as a child, and so it was no surprise that she went on to pursue a degree and career in education.

After taking an initial teaching job in St. Joseph, she completed her master’s degree in administration and moved to Columbia, Missouri, where she would call home for most of the rest of her life. Debby worked in the Columbia Public School District, starting off as a teacher, assistant principal and then principal at Benton Elementary. After retiring from CPS, Debby went on to be an adjunct professor at the University of Missouri in their Education Department teaching and mentoring student teachers. Throughout her career Debby was passionate about teaching kids to read, eliminating socioeconomic barriers for her students, and inspiring the next generation of teachers.

While Debby had a successful professional career, the real highlight of her life was becoming a mother to her daughter, Annie. Debby delighted in watching Annie grow and raising her along with her best friend Kayla Phillips and Kayla’s two girls.

Debby is survived by her daughter, Annie; mother, Jewell; brother, Mike (Micki); niece, Maggie (Rich); her three great- nieces, Ellie, Olivia, and Caroline; and her nephew, Scott; along with numerous other extended family members and friends that were important to her life.

Debby requested to forgo any kind of public celebration of life and her family will be honoring that wish. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.