Cover photo for Debra Andry's Obituary

Debra Andry

March 16, 1955 — April 10, 2021

Debra Andry

Debra Jean Andry, a life-long resident of the Central Arkansas area, passed away on April 10, 2021, at the age of 66 at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Debra is survived by her children, Erin Andry Tackett Cates of Newport, Arkansas, and Michael Joseph Tackett, Jr. (Nick Engel) of Little Rock, Arkansas; her grandchildren, Ashlyn Louise Cates and Michael Monroe Cates of Sherwood, Arkansas; her brother, Richard Andry (Sarah Andry) of Dallas, Texas; her niece, Gretchen Reynolds (Frederick Reynolds) of New York City, New York; and her nephew, Chris Andry (Alicia Andry) of Dallas, Texas. She is predeceased by her parents; her sister, Judith “Judy” Carol Andry.

Debra was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on March 16, 1955, to Richard Anthony Andry and Emma Jean Andry. She graduated high school from Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock and began working at the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, where she worked until she retired. On October 17, 1980, and September 28, 1983, she welcomed her daughter and son, respectively, who were the most important part of her life.

Debra was a devoted, loving, and fiercely protective mother and grandmother. She was a connoisseur of fast-food cuisine and an avid consumer of trashy reality television shows. She loved beaches but hated the idea of leaving the comfort of her home in order to visit those beaches. She had a quick, dry wit and a dark sense of humor beneath an unwaveringly sweet and charming exterior. She was generous to a fault and charitable, donating money to literally every organization that mailed her a request. She was a lover of animals and once accidentally ran over a turtle crossing the road in a desperate attempt to swerve and miss it. She was a huge fan of horror movies and a terrible singer. She would always order the largest meal on a restaurant’s menu and was a notoriously good tipper. She was incredibly open and accepting and the last to ever pass judgment on others. She was a deeply spiritual believer in God but rejected the idea of there being only one way to be a good Christian. She loved music and would obsessively listen to the same song on repeat for six months until she discovered her new “favorite” song. She never took herself too seriously and managed to always keep everything in perspective. She played by her own rules, and she lived and died in the same way—unapologetically herself. She loved being Polish. She found the funny in every situation, and she would have absolutely loved that this is her obituary. She was a genuinely good person and a beacon of light in an often dark and unforgiving world. She will be deeply missed by her friends, family, and all who knew her.

In accordance with Debra’s wishes, no public funeral service will be held. Her family will privately celebrate her life and mourn her loss. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in Debra’s name to the ASPCA or a charity of your choice supporting women in need. Alternatively, in the spirit of the way in which she lived her own life, perform a small act of kindness today for someone in need of help or laughter, and think of Debra.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Debra Andry, please visit our flower store.

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