Debra was born on August 19, 1960, to Johnnie Adams and Abner Mays in Beaumont, TX. She was an only child but gained bonus brothers and sisters along the way. Debra grew up in Newton, TX. She graduated from Newton High School in 1978.

Debra worked for the prison system for over thirty years until her health failed. She was employed with LaSalle Corrections in Beaumont, TX, where she became family. Debra loved her LaSalle family, and they loved her.

Debra was a member of New Life Changers Christian Center in Newton, TX. She was a loving and fun person and the life of the party. She always had a smile on her face and never had a dull moment.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Johnnie Adams; father, Abner Mays; grandmother, Merky Rouse; bonus father, Al Joe Adams; and niece, Torri Barlow Merrick.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her husband, Lloyd Mitchell; children, Rodney Mays, Misty Phifer, Marindia Phifer, and bonus daughter/granddaughter, Brianna Smith, all of Beaumont, TX, and Johnny Phifer (Inikee) of Jasper TX; brothers, Antwine Brazier, Raymond Shaw, Bob Shaw, Johnny Shaw, all of Beaumont, TX, Reggie Adams of Jasper, TX, and Anthony Adams of Houston, TX; two sisters, Tina Adams of Killen, TX, and Lois Brazier of Beaumont, TX; favorite sister/cousin, Denise Kenebrew; friends, Lamurl Holloway, Diane Newman, Tammy Brazil, and Donna Foster; she also leaves 19 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and a host of other family and friends.