Debra Laree Garrison

Debra Laree Kallmeyer Garrison was born on December 28, 1950 in Indianapolis, IN to Melvin and Natalie Kallmeyer. Debbi peacefully died in her sleep on November 14, 2010 in Plano TX.

Debbi is survived by her daughter, Bryna Garrison; her brother, Garry Kallmeyer, and his wife Sherry Kallmeyer, and their children, Adam, Jason and his wife Nicole, and Sarah and her husband, Eric and their baby, Jonah. Debbi was preceded by her husband Robert Coy Garrison, and both of her parents, Melvin and Natalie Kallmeyer.

Debbi was an active Brownie and Junior Girl Scout in her early years. She graduated from Parkway Central High School in 1968 where she was involved in the school band where she was the drum majorette. After high school, Debbi went to Central Methodist University on a music scholarship. After two years there, she decided to move home with her parents, and her brother, Gary, and attend University of Missouri-St. Louis. She graduated from UMSL with a bachelor's degree in teaching, and a minor in English.

After college, Debbi started a very successful modeling career in St. Louis, and she was also a St. Louis Cardinals Cheerleader. In 1971, she got her first job at Six Flags in St. Louis where she met her future husband, Bob Garrison. In her time at Six Flags, she was the front gate manager, and did many other tasks to keep the park moving. Debbi was also the spokesperson and the first hostess for Six Flags, and appeared in many of their ads. Debbi and Bob also planned the entertainment for the Old Glory concerts at Six Flags. these were the best times of Debbi's young life. Debbi and Bob, together, were able to travel the country, meet many people, and even attend Grand Ole Opry Performances and the Country Music Awards. In 1980, Debbi and Bob moved out to Detroit to run Boblo Island, a theme park on an island in between Michigan and Canada.

A new chapter in Debbi's life started when she moved to Dallas, TX after staying in Detroit for 9 months. This is where her modeling career took off and she worked with many different agencies. She also worked in Neiman Marcus in Downtown Dallas where she fell in love with Christmas at a whole new level. It was from Neiman's that she started working in the Dallas Market Center setting up showrooms that sold merchandise to stores for their Christmas Decorating. Over the last 20 years, Debbi has helped more than 200 people decorate their homes for the holidays, doing everything from just lighting and setting up trees, to shopping with her clients, to doing everything in people's homes and businesses for Christmas. She then started working at the Apparel Mart in Dallas, where she eventually had her own showroom showing many different clothing lines for contemporary women. She met many dear friends, and continued to do this work the rest of her life.

In 1991, she was blessed with a daughter, Bryna, and was her most exciting gift that she ever received. Debbi and Bryna had a special bond that no one could break. Together, they did many things, and this is where Debbi's volunteering career took off. The two started out modeling together, and by the end of Debbi's life, the two were leading Girl Scout activities side by side. Throughout Bryna's life, Debbi was involved in all 5 of her schools, from elementary school to Southern Methodist University. When Debbi's husband passed away, it allowed the two he left at home to come together even more as a strong team. They often called themselves "Lucy and Ethel" referencing the TV show. I love Lucy, and had a collection of adventures that they put in their imaginary "Bryna and Mom's Book of Adventures". She was on the board of the PTA at Hughston Elementary, Haggard Middle School, Vines High School, and Plano Senior High School.

One of Debbi's biggest ministries was her efforts at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano, TX. Throughout her 14 year membership at the church, she was involved in so many things. The acolyte program was her "baby" for 10 years. She, of course with Bryna, ran the program scheduling and making sure the children serving the church were properly trained. Debbi also was a kid's choir director for 1st and 2nd graders for 5 years, planning monthly performances in the church service, as well as the semi-annual musicals. She, herself, was also a part of the adult Chancel Choir, participating in two services every Sunday, as she watched her daughter from the choir loft. One of her newest projects at church was helping run the church bookstore, buying merchandise, displaying the items in the store and being there every Sunday to help out with the rush in between services; even on her last day with us on earth.

Debbi and Bryna shared many things from their love of chocolate, carousels, and of course Coca Cola. Debbi was able to instill in Bryna a good work ethic and the compassion that Debbi herself put into everything. Bryna has been known to be the pride and joy and the ultimate culmination of Debbi's life.

Debbi had an overwhelming compassion for everything that she was involved in, including being a caretaker for both her husband and her mother. Debbi's legacy and memory will live on through all of her work that will be continued by both her daughter and her close friends.

We hope that you will help us celebrate the life of this loving mother, wife, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, and friend at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 5801 W Plano Pkwy, Plano, Texas 75093 on Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 4-7:00 p.m. She will have an honorable burial at Dallas Ft. Worth National Cemetery and will be laid to rest next to her husband to be together for eternity.