Deborah Ann Pierson, known affectionately to all as Deb, made her grand exit on January 16, 2024, after a long-running battle with cancer that began in 1995. Born on October 14, 1950 in Springfield, Missouri, Deb's zest for life was apparent from the get-go.

Deb was a proud graduate of Central High School in Springfield, where she was known for her quick wit and caring personality. After graduation, she took her talents to the nonprofit world, where she championed the cause of the Girl Scouts, ensuring that young women had the opportunity to learn, lead, and of course, sell those addictive cookies we all pretend to buy just to support the cause.

Deb was a force of nature, with a spirit as infectious as her laughter. She was the life of any party, and even in her passing, she’d insist we celebrate the joy she brought to the world rather than dwell on her absence. Ray Pierson, her beloved husband, had already taken the early train to the great beyond. Deb leaves behind a legacy of love in her son, Ben and his wife Caitlin, and her adoring grandchildren, Colton and Addison, who will miss her dearly but are well-trained in the art of card shuffling and snack preparation—a testament to countless hours spent at the card table. Deb's mother, Jane Chandler, survives her, and somewhere beyond the stars, her father, Roger Estes, is likely bracing for the whirlwind of her arrival. Deb's passing also leaves a void in the lives of her many lifelong friends, who were more like family, and who will now have to find a new card game champion—no easy feat.

Deb's interests were as varied as the cards in a deck. An animal lover with a heart as big as her personality, she could often be found spoiling her pets with the same love and affection she showered on her human companions. Her talents in crafts and floral design brought beauty to the lives of those around her, and her baking skills were second to none—though she took her recipes to the grave, much to the chagrin of her friends who had hoped for just one more taste of her famous chocolate chip cookies.

To say Deb was loving, friendly, and thoughtful is like saying a royal flush is a "pretty good" hand in poker—it's a massive understatement. She had a knack for making everyone feel like the most important person in the room, unless, of course, you were trying to beat her in a game of Skip-Bo. Then all bets were off, and it was every player for themselves.

Deb's legacy is not just in the lives she touched, but in the laughter she left behind. She knew that life was a game best played with a smile, a good hand, and an even better group of friends. As we bid farewell to this remarkable woman, let's honor her memory by living as she did—with joy, generosity, and perhaps a mischievous twinkle in our eye when we draw the winning card.

So here's to Deborah Ann Pierson, a woman who played the game of life with skill, grace, and a sense of humor that could lighten even the darkest of days. May we all learn to lead with love as she did, and when in doubt, always play the ace up our sleeve. Rest in peace, Deb, and thanks for the laughs.

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