Deborah Lynne (Higginbotham) Hagemeier

Deborah Lynne Hagemeier, of Elkhart, Texas, passed away peacefully with her loving husband of fifty years and five months by her side, on Wednesday, the 6th day of December 2023.  Mrs. Hagemeier was 68 years of age.  She was born in Houston, Texas, on the 16th day of December 1954 to parents Maurice E. Higginbotham and Edna M. Pierce Higginbotham. 

Mrs. Hagemeier's academic journey led her to earn an Associate's Degree in Nursing, a field where she excelled and imparted care and comfort to countless individuals. Her professional path as a nurse was more than a career; it was a manifestation of her innate compassion and desire to contribute positively to the lives of those around her.  In addition to her professional work, Mrs. Hagemeier was a dedicated volunteer at CASA for children for many years.

Mrs. Hagemeier's passion for her family was the cornerstone of her existence. She cherished every moment with her grandchildren, and with a twinkle in her eye, instilling in them a sense of boundless love and importance. Her deep faith was evident through her active membership at Church of Christ of Palestine, where she lived out her belief in service to others.

Her servant's heart was not confined to her church and volunteer activities; it extended into her home, where her kitchen was always open, a warm and welcoming haven for friends, family, and anyone in need of comfort. Mrs. Hagemeier was renowned for her baking skills, as well as her banana pudding and fudge, which became a symbol of her nurturing soul and her delight in bringing joy to others through her culinary creations.

Her personal battle with breast cancer, which began when she was just 29 years old, showcased her extraordinary fortitude. She overcame the disease with grace and strength, only to face Ovarian Cancer later in life. For the last six years, she fought fiercely, demonstrating the same tenacity and courage that she carried throughout her life.

Courageous, passionate, and loving are the words that best encapsulate the essence of Mrs. Hagemeier. Her legacy is one of undying love, selfless service, and the bravery with which she faced life's challenges. She touched the lives of many through her kindness, and her ability to find hope and positivity in the most trying of circumstances. Mrs. Hagemeier's life story is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the impact one person can have on the world around them.

Mrs. Hagemeier joins her father, Maurice Higginbotham, and granddaughter, Gracie Hagemeier, in Heaven.

She leaves behind a legacy of love that will continue to inspire and guide those who loved her, including her husband, Dwayne Hagemeier; mother, Edna Higginbotham; children, Amanda Welch and husband Richard of Holly Lake Ranch, Jeffery Hagemeier and wife Hope of Cushing, Michael Hagemeier and wife Mary Helen of Palestine, and Angela Duncan and husband Jeffrey of Tyler.  She also leaves behind sixteen grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren with one on the way, that she adored; sisters, Linda May and husband Charles, Vivian Nichols and husband Gary; brother, Robert Higginbotham and wife Charla; and her sister-in-law, Janet Kerr.  Mrs. Hagemeier will also be missed by her numerous nieces, nephews, other family members, and multitude of friends. 

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation from three o’clock until five o’clock in the afternoon, on Sunday, the 10th day of December 2023 at Rhone Funeral Home.

A funeral service to celebrate Mrs. Hagemeier’s life is to be conducted at one o’clock in the afternoon, on Monday, the 11th day of December 2023, in the Rhone Memorial Chapel.  John Orr will be officiating the service.  Interment will follow in Cedar Creek Cemetery.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Mrs. Hagemeier’s grandsons, Tristan Gross, Austin Gross, Colton Gross, Dustin Gross, Weston Gross, and Marshal Anderson, Jr.  Honorary pallbearers include Weldon Anderson and Elijah Hagemeier.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed towards CASA for Children, 3616 West Way St., Tyler, Texas 75703.

For those unable to attend the funeral service, virtual attendance may be accessed by visiting Rhone Funeral Home's Facebook page.

Funeral services for Deborah Lynne Hagemeier are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas.  

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