Debbie passed away on December 29, 2024 at her home in Kenner, LA following a long battle with cancer. Debbie is survived by her loving husband, Glenn, her mother Mary Lane “Nanan” Tooke and her father-in-law Russell Arceneaux, all of whom reside in Kenner, LA. She is also survived by her son Chris (Sarah) of Ball Ground, GA, along with their children Nathan and Lizzie, and her daughter Jennifer of Prairieville, LA, along with her children Sydney and Taj, all of whom she loved dearly. Debbie was preceded in death by her father James Tooke and her mother-in-law Billie Arceneaux.
Debbie was born on October 14, 1958 at the Army Hospital on base in Yuma, Arizona to James H. and Mary Lane Shamburger Tooke. Debbie was baptized on April 21, 1974, as a member of the Jena Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Debbie and Glenn were married on March 21, 1987 in Jena, LA. Glenn was her loving caretaker and life-mate. She and Glenn loved cooking and working together on what was known as Jehovah’s Witnesses Regional Building Committee projects and installing public address systems at circuit events and district conventions all around Louisiana.
One of her proudest secular accomplishments was establishing the first Bloodless Medicine and Surgery Program in Louisiana at Sisters of Charity – St. Patrick Hospital in Lake Charles, LA. When she and Glenn relocated to New Orleans, she worked at Memorial Medical Center to establish another. Many close relationships with patients and medical professionals were developed in and throughout the greater New Orleans area and around the country. She and Glenn were very involved in the Post-Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort with Jehovah’s Witnesses for several years. In 2009, she learned medical coding and worked from home for Optum Healthcare until 2019. All of these relationships led to nurturing friendships that have supported her and Glenn through her illness and will continue to be with Glenn after his loss.
Special thanks to Ranadaka, Jami, Susan, Christy, as well as the many loving friends and extended family who cared for and loved Debbie throughout her life and in her last days.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to her favorite charity, Jehovah’s Witnesses (see www.donate.jw.org).
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