Debra Woodhull Weaver, affectionately known as Debbie, age 67, passed away on July 16th, surrounded by family and close friends. She was born in Galveston, Texas on February 23, 1957 to Charles and Shirley Hughes .
Debbie was a lifelong resident of her beloved Galveston island. Before she graduated from high school, she was one of the most famous of the water skiers at Sea-Arama Marineworld, according to reporting by The Daily News. She was also an accomplished surfer. Both were self-taught. She married and ran the nursery at St. Patrick's Catholic Church for 10 years and was a substitute teacher at Galveston public schools, averaging 28 days each month for another 10 years. Debra especially loved her Catholic faith; she said all four decades of the Rosary daily and attended Mass on-line every morning. She prayed to many saints and especially loved St.Padre Pio. She had her own special holy places in her home. Her favorite colors were lilac and lavender.
Debbie was the creator and owner of Island Domestic Goddess and a proud descendant of the prominent Jamail family. She was the granddaughter of Albert Jamail, one of the infamous Galveston Jamail fruit stand owners and his brother - her Great Uncle - Joe Jamail, who was known as the wealthiest practicing attorney in the United States.
Debbie graduated from Galveston College, receiving an associate's degree as a part of the first graduating Criminology class at the campus. Over the years, she established a reputation as being strong, independent, and kind-hearted. Debra was a multi-faceted Renaissance woman. She loved her Facebook community and posted daily memes to brighten everyone's day. She was a well known photographer as she loved music and took pictures for several years of the Summer Concert Series given by the late Ronnie Maceo, Bubbah Donovan , and Cruz Cortez. Debbie became the personal assistant and girl Friday to Marcia Sanders who, with her husband, Fred Sanders, owned the Landes-McDonough mansion at 1602 Postoffice St. And, as time passed, by word-of-mouth she developed her position as private housekeeper and personal assistant for a number of the island's gentry — famous names. Along with her housekeeping, Debbie thoroughly enjoyed baking special cakes and cookies for her family and friends. She is especially known for and was proud of her Biscotti which was sold for a time at Maceo Spice Co.
Debbie was a grandmother to all, including the birds and squirrels who visited her yard. She was especially fond of the squirrels. Best known for being there for those in need, a visit to Debbie always involved kind words of advice and leaving with baked goods in hand.
She is predeceased by her father Charles Hughes, her sister Candace Hughes ,and her first born son - Deyo Woodhull.
She is survived by her mother, Shirley Watts, and brother, Ronnie Hughes; her children, Dana Escamilla (Reuben) , Rachel Weaver ( Michael), and Darol Weaver; and her grandchildren, Jonathan Escamilla and Lillian Grimes. She also leaves her cherished "Brother" William (Bill) Cherry, and best friends Robin Gwinn and Cynthia Schaaf (Boo). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Father Chacko Puthumayil, Wednesday, July 31st, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Galveston , with burial following at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Galveston and a Repast at St.Patrick's Hall also in Galveston. Special thanks to Carnes Funeral Home in Galveston for assisting, and to Father Jude and the Holy Family Parish church Bereavement Committee and Altar Society for their support. She will be laid to rest next to her son, Deyo Woodhull, whom she has waited many years to see again. Serving as Pallbearers are Darol Weaver, Donnie Carter, Johnathan Escamilla, Michael Grimes, Ace Vages and Boo Schaaf. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers are Ronnie Hughes, William Cherry, Robert Donovan, and Scott Herbert