Born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The daughter and eldest child of James Lutjen and Mildred Watkins. The sister of David and Darien Austin, and Lee Ann Cordell, nee Bumgarner. The maternal granddaughter of Finis Watkins and Emma Watkins.

Funeral services for Debbie were held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, October 2, 2017 at New Hope Assembly of God Church in Muskogee with Pastor John Overton and Rev. Adrian Totty officiating. Pallbearers were Greg Allen, Darien Austin, John Cowan, Rodney Austin and Jeremy Moran. Interment followed at Greenhill Cemetery in Muskogee.