On December 9, 1957 Joan Maxine Cheatom had a beautiful baby girl, Deborah Delaine Collins. Deborah was the oldest of her siblings Wanda and Tony. At an early age, Deborah gave her life to Christ and was baptized at Greater New Zion Baptist church in Dallas, Texas. As a youth, she sang in the choir and participated in the Youth ministry.
In 1974, the family moved to Atlanta, Georgia where Deborah attended DM Therrell High School. She joined the esteemed High Steppers supporting her adored Panthers in the stands with dazzling dance moves. She graduated in the Class of 1976. Deborah knew the value of education and matriculated as a non-traditional student at the University of Texas at Dallas graduating in 1988 earning a BA in Human Relationship and Business.
Deb, Wanda, and Tony were inseparable. Deb and Wanda spoke or texted daily on the phone and included Tony in their elaborate plans for their children’s birthday parties and graduations. When the family gathered for holidays and vacation, Deb often spent a week or two or more with the host sibling.
Deborah gave birth to her dearly beloved twins Skylar and Jared on May 7, 1990. She was the loving mother who was actively involved in their education as a Parent volunteer at Cedar Hill High School and Parent of AAU Basketball. She was the quintessential football, soccer, and basketball mom. She was always enthusiastic about her children’s passions. She enjoyed watching lifetime movies with Skylar and eating out at the latest restaurant craze. While Skylar worked at Mississippi State, she travelled with her to Brazil and Europe, and they vacationed together in Belize. Growing up, Jared was her late night eating buddy and her audience when she modeled clothes at Dillard’s Department store. Jared gave her Jayla, the grandchild that she adored. Deborah also shared her love and warmth with her bonus daughter, Jasmine and her bonus granddaughters Addison and Ava.
Deborah spent her professional career working in Insurance for over 30 years. She was an Account Executive at Aetna retiring in 2012. Deborah engaged in her community serving as a volunteer with JAID and an IMPACT Cedar Hill Volunteer. She was a Board Member of Nexus Recovery Center, Inc. and the Werthing Foundation.
Deborah joined St. Luke Community UMC under Reverend Dr. Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr. Skylar and Jared were baptized at St. Luke. She served on the Hospitality Ministry, United Methodist Women, Care Ministry, and Disciple Bible Study.
Deborah was the consummate Dallas Cowboys Football Fan always cheering America’s Team on and defending them against anyone who would dare speak against them, How ‘Bout Them Cowboys?! Deborah’s fashion sense was impeccable: clothes, shoes, purses, and cologne! She had exquisite taste and loved shopping at the high end department stores and sharing this experience with all those she loved. She took her three year old great niece, Zora on a shopping spree to a luxury clothing store that has influenced her fancy taste in clothing to this day. Deborah did not like to cook but was an expert in making a reservation or ordering from the most expensive restaurants since Jared and Skylar were two years old. Before they were “potty-trained,” they could say, “Pappadeaux!”
Deborah established a good relationship with her father as a teenager and grew to know and love her paternal siblings. She was grateful for the opportunity to build a relationship with her father and enjoyed spending time with her paternal family.
Deborah was preceded in death by her mother, Joan Rance Vuyanich; father, Rudolph Valentino Green; and grandparents, Ruby Frazier and Monroe Cheatom.
She leaves to cherish her memories her children: Skylar Collins, Jared Collins, and bonus daughter Jasmine Burrell; grandchildren: Jayla Collins, Addison Burrell, and Ava Burrell; sister, Wanda (Michael) McQueen; brother, Plez “Tony” (Michelle) Rance III; sisters: Marcia G. Kemp and Ingrid Green; brothers: Gregory (Lori) Green, Dana (Janis) Green, and Mark Green; aunts: Dyann (Nolan) Jones, Marsha (Lee) Willis; uncles: Paul (Bertie) Frazier and Jerry (Judi) Cheatom; a special friend Michael Hooks; three God-daughters: Kristen Jones, Sarah Hall and Londyn Brown; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
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