Deep Sadness in our Family

Rest in Peace, my beautiful Daughter-in-law,  Debbie Wilhite

Many of you have heard by now  (especially if you are on Facebook) that my beautiful daughter-in-law,  Debbie Wilhite,  passed away on Sunday,  August 13, 2017 in Cypress,  Texas,  at the young age of 50.  My son, Mark,  and Debbie had only been together for a little over two years,  and they only got married two months ago.  They were SO HAPPY and so much in love.  Life was just beginning for the two of them.  But a long life together isn't going to happen..  SO SAD.

Debbie was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder at age 15 and had struggled off and on for years.  However,  the past couple of years had been good ones for her --until the 'demons' inside of her  took over last weekend and took her away.  She overdosed.  Mark was devastated (still is) as you an imagine..

Mark and Debbie packed more fun, more love, more joy into two years than most folks do in a lifetime... We are all just trying to remember the joys we had with Debbie,  and were blessed to have her in our lives for these two years...

Today I'll just share a few of the many photos I have of Debbie.  She was such a  joy for me --and the first minute we met,  we bonded.  Since I raised three sons,  Debbie became not only a daughter,  but also a great friend...  Words cannot describe how much I loved her and will miss her...

Oh how I adored this beautiful young lady!

When  Debbie and Mark visited us,  I took them to Fall Creek Falls State Park for the day.  Debbie loved it there --as you can tell from this picture.

Debbie found my love for waterfalls at Fall Creek Falls --and at one time, had even talked about getting married there.  This is Mark and Debbie at Cane Creek Falls.

Those two crazy kids had so much fun together...  For this picture,  I told them to make a funny or scary face!!!!!!  Made me laugh and still does!

A picture of a happy Mama with Mark and Debbie when they were in Tennessee in December/January last year

Debbie loved minions ---so she just had to win this huge one when they went to the rodeo...   She named him Bob and carried him around on her back that day (getting lots of attention).... Mark said it was VERY hard getting BOB into their car that day!!!!! ha

Mark and Debbie got married in Galveston on June 12 this year with her four daughters and her four grandchildren along with one of Mark's daughters and some of their good friends.  This was a happy family on that day ---but an extremely sad family now...  Debbie adored her girls and the grandchildren...

My favorite picture of Debbie and Mark after their wedding;  Mark and Debbie  were planning to host a big beach vacation for all of us in  Mark's family in June of 2018--since many of us couldn't attend their wedding this past June... They were planning on renewing their vows during that vacation when we were there...

After their wedding,  Mark and Debbie immediately left on a honeymoon cruise...  This picture was taken when they were on their cruise.

Such happy moments ---and there were plenty of them....As hard as it is now to visualize life without Debbie,  Mark will find the strength to start over and begin life again.    We all have a very strong faith knowing that God is in control...  AND ---we also know that Debbie is with her Mom and Dad in heaven and she is finally out of pain....

I am probably going to take some time off since this has been hard on me too.  I have told several friends that the hardest thing I have ever had to go through was hearing my 47 year old son cry all night long--and for several days...  God Bless that wonderful young man.

Please contact, hug,  tell those you love how much they mean to you!  Live is precious and SO unpredictable...  God Bless ALL.

Here is a copy of Debbie's Obituary if you would like to read it:
Deborah Lynn Wilhite, 50, of Cypress was greeted in Heaven by her parents, Alice and Beau Collins, on August 13, 2017. Debbie was born October 17, 1966 in Galveston, Texas.
She was formerly from La Marque and had recently moved to Cypress with the love of her life. Debbie was best known for her infectious laugh, beautiful smile, and her genuine love for everyone. Debbie never met a stranger and always left an impression that represented her true love for life.
Deborah's legacy lives on through her husband Mark E. Wilhite; four daughters: Nicole Carreon of Groesbeck, TX, Harley Goebel and boyfriend Ryan of Galveston, TX, Ally Goebel of Santa Fe, TX and Skylar Goebel of Santa Fe, TX; two step-daughters Bay Lee Wilhite of San Marcos, Brooke Elizabeth Dominquez and son-in-law Tristan of Norfolk, VA.; sister Beverly Ann Racicot of Galveston, TX and five grandchildren: Alicen Platt, Trenton Platt, Mallory Sanders, Rayleigh “Roo” Sanders and Vivian Lee Dominguez.
Visitation will be on Saturday, August 19, 2017 from 1:00pm – 2:00pm at the James Crowder Funeral Home in La Marque followed by a Celebration of Life service at 2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in her name to Depression and Bi-Polar Support Alliance

Hugs,