Debra Soudrette

Debra S. Soudrette (nee Handley), age 69 of Anderson Twp., died January 29, 2022. She was the beloved wife of Thomas D. Soudrette, devoted mother of Tabatha Tyler and Noah Lee Soudrette, loving grandmother of Mackenzie Tyler, dear sister of Judy Arthon and the late Patricia Benn and Michael (Toni) Handley. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and special friends.

If you’re reading this, consider yourself one of the lucky ones. For if you knew Debbie, you knew a great woman. While Debbie enjoyed reading mysteries, drinking a great cup of coffee, tending to her flower gardens and soaking up the Summer’s sun, her greatest love was being with and caring for those in her life. She wore many hats and met the needs of so many people.

First, she was a devoted wife who loved her husband, Tom, deeply for 42 years. She enjoyed reminiscing of their younger years when she had a thin waist and he had a head full of hair. When she looked at him, her eyes spoke of their unwavering affection and friendship. She often declared how blessed she was to share her life with such a patient and faithful man of God.

Naturally, Debbie was an attentive mother. She and Tom dedicated their lives to their children, Tabatha and Noah, and eventually their granddaughter, Mackenzie. Debbie was immensely proud of her children; Tabatha for how brave and selfless she was in raising Mackenzie and Noah for his kind soul and strong convictions. Debbie was never one to miss an event for Mackenzie. She loved to speak of her many sports and academic accomplishments. Debbie was her biggest cheerleader.

Debbie was also a passionate member of her community. She fed her love of people through volunteering with the Girl Scouts, academic and athletic programs and the Forest Hills School District. She eventually became a substitute for the district. Whether she was monitoring recess, working in the print shop, the health room or manning the front desk, she was always socializing and loving on the personnel, parents and students over the countless years she served there.

Undoubtedly, Debbie was an irreplaceable friend. She will be remembered as a steadfast companion with a huge heart and an honest opinion. Debbie never waited for her house to be in order, the food to be prepared, the weather to be perfect or the mood to be just right before receiving friends. Her door was always open. She was truly a, “Come as you are,” kind of lady. Her table was never too small for another person to join and her love was unending. She forever had another hug to give, another minute to listen on the phone and another prayer to say for you. She was a friend like no other.

Lastly, Debbie was a faithful servant of Jesus Christ. Debbie was no stranger to the scriptures and prayed everyday. She served her brothers and sisters in Christ and did so with such gladness. Depending on the day, she may have been driving someone to a cancer treatment, making dinner for another, planning a lesson for a teen group, caring for newborn babies or witnessing to a lost soul. If ever an opportunity presented itself for Debbie to show the love of Christ to another, she did not hesitate to do so. We can know with great confidence that through Debbie’s acts of love that she was met in Heaven with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Well done.”

Memorial service will be held at T.P. White & Sons Funeral Home, 2050 Beechmont Ave., Mt. Washington, on Sunday, February 6th at 3 pm. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Sunday from 1 to 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children https://www.missingkids.org/