Deborah Ellen White, age 66, passed away suddenly on the Fourth of July at Medical City of Arlington due to complications after surgery. She was born in Victoria, TX on November 1, 1953 to Donald Orville Cunningham of Colorado Springs and Margaret Mardena (Petree) of Potosi, TX. She was the sixth of eight children, and grew up in Arlington, where she graduated from Arlington High School in 1972.
"Miss Debbie" spent much of her life working with children as director of Oakwood Day School in Arlington. She was loved by the children and her coworkers alike and respected for her caring and inclusive disposition, taking on children who had been deemed unsuitable for regular daycare by others. Her house and her heart were opened to teens from troubled homes. She was happy to be called "Mom" by all of the young people she loved. Debbie later worked in customer service, a job she enjoyed where she was promoted as quickly as she made many new friends. She was known for being easy to talk to, for her sense of humor and infectious smile. Debbie loved to cook and bake for others and hosted many big family holiday dinners. She took joy in giving gifts and in spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as their beloved "Nana".
Debbie is survived by her mother; siblings Dennis Cunningham and partner Jill, Donna Witt and husband ret. Major Timothy Witt, Dianne Wells, Dow Cunningham and David Cunningham; her children Adam Irvine and wife Shannon of Arlington, April Irvine Nilsson and partner Nick of Vsters Sweden, Angie Irvine and fiance Cheryl of Arlington, and Jennifer White; her grandchildren Brittany, Caleb, Savannah, Matthew, Mili, Cathlyn, Brenna, Maverick and Jacob, her great-grandchildren Elijah and Amelia, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father and siblings Dale Cunningham and Darlene Marcus.
Memorial service for Debbie will be announced at a later date