Debra Lee Loden, a great, courageous and beautiful soul, departed this life from her home on Friday, May 19, 2023 after battling cancer for 4 years. She was 68. Known by most as Debbie, she was born on March 23, 1955 in Tupelo to the late Linda Chism Cheek. She grew up near the Union Community south of Plantersville on her grandfather, Homer “Pop” Estes, land and lived her whole life and died on the family farm. Debbie attended Plantersville Jr. High School and graduated in l973 from Nettleton High School. She received her AA Degree from Itawamba Community College and spent 30 years as a valued employee of ICC serving as Director of Student Services on the Tupelo Campus when she retired. Debbie had a warm personality, never met a stranger and was a kind friend to all. She kept up with current events, knew who was kin to who and was a go to lady for those wanting to know what was going on in the area. A devoted Christian, Debbie attended the First Baptist Church, Plantersville where she was baptized and found spiritual strength from its ministries right up until the time of her death. She enjoyed eating out and was particularly fond of the 15 ladies from Nettleton who ate lunch together the first Friday of every month. An avid fan of Tupelo’s own Elvis Presley, Debbie and Joe were very active in the Tupelo Elvis Presley Fan Club. She enjoyed playing the piano but her greatest joy was Mimi’s six grandchildren. She seldom missed any of Kaylee’s competitive cheering events. She and Joe married on April 20, 1973 and just recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and were inseparable for 5 decades. Debbie’s caring heart, her generous spirit and her love of God, Family and Church will be long remembered as her legacy.
A service celebrating her life will be held at 2 PM Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at First Baptist Church, Plantersville with Bro. Tim Tutor officiating and Thomas Craft speaking. Burial will follow in the Union Cemetery south of Plantersville. Visitation will be from 5 PM – 8PM Monday, May 22, 2023 and from Noon – service time on Tuesday all at the Church. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving their neighbors and dear friends.
Debbie is survived by her husband, Joe; her son, Michael Loden and wife, Danyel of Olive Branch, MS; her grandchildren, Kaylee Loden, Eryn Loden, Alexis Turner, Dalton Turner, Nolan Turner and Rob Turner; 2 sisters in law, Mil Loden Moore and Ellen Loden Clayton both of Mantachie and many friends and extended family. She was preceded in death by her mother, Linda Chism Cheek and her grandparents whom she revered, Annie Putt Estes and Homer Estes.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, P. O. Box 487, Plantersville, MS. 38862. Condolences may be emailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net
