Obituary of Deborah Kay Daniel

Deborah Kay (Willis) Daniel, of Cypress, Texas, passed away in Houston on Feb. 6, 2024. She was 67.

She was born May 13, 1956, in Houston. She was the daughter of Audrey Mae “Mickey” and Hubert Willis, who preceded her in death.

On August 14, 1976, in Houston, she was married to the love of her life, Ray Daniel, who survives in the home.

In 1974, Debbie began working for Shell Oil Co., where she was employed for 32 years in roles ranging from file clerk to team building leader. She eventually traveled internationally for the company.  She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which led to her early retirement in 2006.

Debbie took great pride in being the wife of a police officer, as Ray served his career with the Harris County Sheriff’s Department. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and dogs, Molly and Macy.

Debbie also enjoyed eating Mexican food, cheering on the Houston Astros, listening to Elvis, sipping Coca-Cola, gambling at the casinos, and rooting for her daughter's and granddaughter's softball teams. She was known as “Momma D” to her daughter’s childhood friends, whom she always welcomed into her home and her heart. She and Ray thoroughly enjoyed relaxing trips to the Yellow House in Marble Falls, Texas.

Other survivors include her sister, Barbara (Don) Cotten, of Houston; and brother Hugh (Linda) Willis, of Katy; two daughters, Michele (Alan) Drake, of Fred, Texas, and Melissa (Kyle) Uran, of Cypress, Texas; two granddaughters, Baylee and Audrey Drake, of Fred; two grandsons, Carson and Hayden Uran, of Cypress; great-granddaughter, Emerson “Little E” Grace Drake, of Fred; sister-in-law, Janet Trahan, of Bella Vista, Ark.; and many nieces and nephews.

Also preceding her death were sister-in-law Judy Daniel and brothers-in-law Joe Daniel and Gerald Jackson.

Alan Drake, Kyle Uran, Jeff Cotten, Bryan Willis, Doug Willis, and Cody Cotten will be pallbearers.

Carson Uran, Hayden Uran, Don Cotten, Hugh Willis, and Gary Getschman will be honorary pallbearers.

A visitation with the family will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 15, 2024, followed by A Celebration of Life at 11 a.m. at Cypress Methodist Church, 13403 Cypress North Houston Road, Cypress. The Rite of Committal will follow at Houston National Cemetery in Houston, Texas.

Arrangements are entrusted to Joseph J. Earthman Generations Funeral Home, 234 Westcott St., Houston, Texas.