Debbie graduated from Oklahoma Panhandle State University class of 1973, and she and Charles relocated to Reydon, Oklahoma shortly after. There they worked and ran their ranch and grew their cattle and kids. They joyfully welcomed their firstborn, Brandon, sometime in 1974. They got stuck with their second-oldest son, Justin, sometime in 1977. They were excited to receive the middle born and only girl, Shona, sometime in 1979. They accepted their accidental fourth, Carson, sometime in 1983. Charles’s midlife crisis would greet him in the form of a fifth and final child, Travis, on June 27, 1987. They embraced their first grandchild, Emma, in 2003. And then, it was like a new one every year after that.

Together with their children, Debbie and Charles ran their ranch and often survived by any means possible. Most ranches are built on blood, sweat, and tears. But that ranch was built on the prayers of our mother. On her knees, face down in her bible, pouring out prayers; hour after hour, day after day. There was no luck in that ranch. The blessings on that ranch were crafted and spoken in the prayers of our mother. Charles worked his fingers to the bone, and Debbie raised her children. Debbie would later go on to become known as Nana to 16 wonderful grandchildren, whom she loved deeply and completely. We know Nana is watching over and anxiously awaiting the arrival of her 17th grandchild. Debbie cherished all her grandchildren and maintained a special relationship with every one of them.

In 2008, Charles and Debbie became part owners of Elk City Livestock Auction with Brandon and Erin. They worked diligently until their retirement in 2023. Debbie was proud to watch all of her children have a hand in the barn at one time or another.

Charles was the veteran, but our mother was the warrior. And, the biggest war she fought was trying to save us all from ourselves. Her prayers brought grace, peace, healing, and blessings to an inconceivable number of lives. Debbie didn’t call him the devil. She said Satan. She said his name with no fear. She would go to battle with him anywhere, anytime, for anyone. Debbie built an entire tribe to try to fill her pure shoes. Earth has lost its greatest warrior. Our mother’s love was the definition of unconditional. She loved deep and with her whole soul. She was our biggest fan, our best supporter, and championed for us whether we were right or wrong. We always knew that no matter what we had done, we were already forgiven when it came to Mom.

Debbie Hickey blessed the gates of heaven on the cloudless, warm, sunny morning of September 23, 2025. She sent word of her arrival via a brief rain shower that only lasted 3 minutes and seemed to be happening nowhere else in the world, and that’s the way it was. She passed peacefully, surrounded by her five children who were there by her side to witness her crossing into a ranch of a thousand hills, now alive with the sound of music.

Debbie leaves behind a wonderful caretaker, a comedian, a cowboy, a best friend, a poor lover, and a loyal and loving husband, Charles. We are so grateful that he is our dad and for the love he gave our mother.

Grateful to have held her love and care, Debbie leaves behind her three younger siblings and their spouses. Dave and Diane Weathers of Houston, Texas. Al and Leanna Olson of Durant, Oklahoma. Valerie and Hayden Matthews, also of Durant, Oklahoma.

Carrying her love with them now is her oldest child, Brandon, his wife, Erin, and their two children, Emma and Nate Hickey. The second oldest, Justin, his wife Ariel, and their four children, Holden, Tarley, Hayven, and Hayzley Hickey. The middle child, our beautiful and charming sister, Shona Zybach, and her enduringly patient husband, Kyle, and their four children, Luke, Zack, Austin, and Kate Zybach. The fourth child, Carson, and his wife, Samantha, and their three children, Reece, Darci, and Gunner. The youngest and the most gifted wordsmith of the five, Travis, his wife, Jaci, and their three children, Rico, Havana, and Calgary, with Debbie’s final grandchild, Wilder Weathers Hickey, arriving in January.

There’s so much more we’d like to say. So many more we’d like to thank. Our mother deserves so many more words. Her grandchildren will feel the void the most, so hug them and love them for Nana every chance you get, whether they like it or not.

Debbie leaves behind a host of family and friends whom we would like to thank for loving our mother. Please continue our mother’s legacy of prayer, for us, for each other, and for the whole world to see our mother’s endless light as we recite one of her favorite prayers: “May the Lord bless you, and keep you, and cause his light to shine upon you, and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24 Thank you for letting us borrow her Lord.

If you would like to make a donation to honor Debbie, the family suggest donations be made to Corn Bible Academy, Reydon Volunteer Fire Department, or Wounded Warriors. The links to these places are provided on her memorial page at www.classicfunerals.com