Deborah “Debbie” Lynn Rule was a loving wife, mother, nana, sister, and friend. She left this world on January 12th at age 63, with her husband and daughter at her hospital bedside, in Sherman, Texas.

She was born to Lawrence Frick and Nancy Lee Boyer Frick on May 30th, 1957, in Mishawaka, Indiana where she grew up with her four siblings and attended Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation.
She met Van Harland Rule in Tennessee and married December 23rd, 1981. It was a love at first sight that lasted 39 years and a love that does not end with her passing.

One of Debbie’s biggest joys was being a mother and nana and this shined through with every smile and hug. Visits to Nana’s didn’t require a special occasion or holiday – it was the sheer happiness of seeing her smiling face and open arms ready to hug you tight. Family time was spent cooking/baking, playing games, making crafts, enjoying nature/outdoors, or simply cuddling on the couch and talking. We all lived close, as she was our biggest joy as well!

She loved nature and animals, catering to her two small pups (oh these two had it good) and you would often hear her speak of her deer (yes, she claimed them as her own) that grazed through her property. Settling down in the country, she appreciated every sound from nature and loved her sunsets.

Loved by all who knew her, it is undeniable the impact she had on so many with her positive spirit, caring nature, and beautiful soul. She loved her family, her community, friends, and simply “never met a stranger”. Debbie was a member of King’s Trail Cowboy Church in Whitewright, Texas.

She is survived by her husband, Van “Chief” Rule of Whitewright; daughter, Jennifer Etheridge and her husband Bryan Etheridge of Melissa; grandchildren, Brittany, Allie, Jayden, Christopher; great-grandchildren, McKenna, Avery, Kamden; mother, Nancy; sisters, Cathy Newman, Brenda Huston, and Julie Eiland; brother, John Frick; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friends, John and Carina Lewis, Kevin and Paula Richardson. Sandra Jones, who were her family, and Candice Lenss and Brian Gilson.   who were like family. She was preceded in death by her father.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00AM January 20, 2021, at King’s Trail Cowboy Church, Whitewright, Texas. Brother Duane Wegley, Jr., will officiate. Inurnment will follow at Vittitoe Cemetery, Whitewright, Texas.