Journal entry by Christan Zeit —
We want to thank each and everyone one of you for your support, love and prayers over the last week. We miss mom so much, and know the days ahead will be hard. Please continue praying for us and our families as we find a new normal now.
Today, there are three main things we want you to know about our mom—
First, our mom was fun. To know her was to know joy and adventure. Maybe because she grew up on a Christian campground (where she had a horse named Lightning), or maybe because it was simply in her DNA, Mom knew how to make life exciting.
She had a warm personality and quick sense of humor which helped form so many long-lasting friendships over the years.
She loved swimming and ketchup sandwiches. She loved playing games, and she was competitive. Don’t expect her to let you win just because you were her child or grandchild! This competitive spirit and love of games made Mom a really good softball player all through high school.
For many years, our family held season’s tickets to our local amusement park, Worlds of Fun. And even with cancer at war in her body, Mom still loved roller coasters as recently as this past October.
As a grandma, one of her favorite things to do was fill her summers by taking her grandkids on fun adventures. Summer breaks were made for making memories.
Our mom was fun.
Second, our mom was dedicated. Her three greatest priorities were Jesus, her family, and teaching.
When she was still a child herself, Mom attended some Child Evangelism classes to learn how to effectively tell stories. This training—especially at such a young age—would shape her entire life. She was a fantastic storyteller.
From her perfect handwriting to her passion for children, she was a teacher in every way. She loved helping students and other educators and was regularly invited to lead trainings and educational seminars around the country.
In her own words, her goal as a teacher was to, “foster meaningful relationships with students, parents, and other educators to create a loving, warm, and attractive environment for learning.”
And she succeeded beautifully in this goal.
To have Mom as a teacher was to love her. She was creative, witty, and kind. One parent whose child was recently in Mom’s class told us this week that she always knew her daughter—an amazing cancer warrior herself—was safe with our mom.
Mom didn’t limit her teaching to traditional classroom subjects. Whether she was watching eggs hatch in the classroom with her students or teaching her nieces and nephews how to meticulously put ketchup on every French fry, she took teaching seriously
All four of her daughters were able to have Mom as a teacher for at least one year in school, and we are deeply grateful we got to experience her in this role she loved so much.
Mom was fun and dedicated.
But third, our mom was loving.
She loved being a mom. From taking us sledding down the big hill at Tri-City in Independence to celebrating every major holiday with zeal, mom took motherhood to another level. She loved fireworks and Christmas movies. She loved picking blackberries and cooking special meals.
She loved Disney World. God gave us the incredible gift of taking one final girls trip in October to Disney and experiencing her love of fun as well as her love of the beach and sounds of the waves. We wouldn’t trade those days together for anything.
Mom made the best fried tacos and was known for putting a sugar glaze on grilled cheese sandwiches—don’t knock it ‘til you try it.
She loved being a grandma. Her 16 grandchildren made her so very happy. Helping them with school projects or tutoring them on their homework was the best combination of the things she most deeply enjoyed.
She loved being a sister and a friend.
No doubt, many of you in this room were well-loved by our mom. She loved her church family and singles group and talked about you often with a full and thankful heart. Thank you to those of you who took the time to visit her while she was homebound. Those visits were priceless to her.
Even at the end of her life—when she was in and out of consciousness—she lit up for her brother Steve. And she enjoyed every opportunity to interact with Lynda—her dear sister and best friend. She truly loved the people in her life.
Mom was fun, dedicated, and loving.
As adults, the four of us sisters came to view Mom as our closest friend, advisor, and confidante. Mom always had a well-timed word of wisdom or encouragement as we learned to mother our own children and follow our own career paths. And those lessons will continue to live on in our lives.
Mom’s life wasn’t always easy—especially this past year—but her constant love for her family and her unwavering faith in God gave her the strength to live without bitterness and instill in all four of us gratitude for every day we got to spend together. She loved us well, and she let us know it right up until she met Jesus.
She left us a wonderful example to follow. Stay focused on Jesus and on what is truly important, not only when life is easy, but even—or maybe especially—when it’s not.
Thank you, Mom. We love you.
Debbie was born on July 25, 1954, in St. Charles, Missouri, to JV and Anna (Matthews) Russom. After graduating from Northwest High School in House Springs, Missouri, in 1972, Debbie went on to study Elementary Education at Tennessee Temple University. In 1999, she received her Master’s Degree in Christian Education from Heart of America Seminary.
Debbie started her teaching career in 1976 and taught until 2022. Known for her gentleness, creativity, and humor, she was often invited to lead educational workshops around the country. She always had time for her students, past or present.
Apart from her relationship with God, Debbie’s family was her greatest joy and biggest priority. Married on July 23, 1976, Debbie and Gary Reynolds were married for thirty-five years and share four beautiful daughters. Debbie was an active member of Abundant Life Church and loved being part of the singles group there.
When the news of cancer came in July 2022, Debbie’s daughters were deeply grieved, but also greatly honored to walk the path of pain and tears with her for eight months. God was gracious to give Debbie a brief remission and time together with her girls at Disney World in October. While they take great comfort in knowing their mom is now free of pain and cancer, they will miss her immensely.
Debbie was preceded in death by her parents and her brother-in-law Rick Halbrook. She is survived by her daughter Charity (Matt) Tucker, Kaden, Ethan, Maddie, and Emma; daughter Christan (Robert) Zeit, Elijah, Braxton, and Anna; daughter Heather (Mike) Holiday, Landon, Alyssa, Cambriana, and Hayden; and daughter Jennifer (Kirk) Nungester, Kolston, Brantley, Tate, Ellianna, and Archer; her sister Lynda Halbrook; her brother Steve (Lisa) Russom; and several nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held Monday at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 East 39th St S, Independence, Missouri, from 6–8 p.m., with a funeral service on Tuesday at Abundant Life Church, 410 SW Persels Rd, Lee's Summit, Missouri, in the Admin Building at 10 a.m. Burial will be in the Lobb Cemetery in Blue Springs.
Flowers and plants are welcome, as are memorials made to Summit Christian Academy Teacher Resources, 1450 SW Jefferson Street, Lee’s Summit, MO, 64081, in memory of Debbie Reynolds.
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