Deborah Espinoza Wicke

On Thursday, August 1, 2024, Deborah Espinoza Wicke passed away at the age of 76. Born to Bertha and Elizar Espinoza, Debby grew up in Houston, Texas, with her siblings, Alex, Dora, Gilbert, Tony, and Roy. As the oldest daughter, she was very much a mother figure to her younger siblings. Debby was a proud graduate of Jefferson Davis High School in Houston. She married Allen Wicke, her husband of 56 years; and while raising their three girls and working in the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, Debby earned her degree in Supervisory Management at Houston Community College. 

Debby loved quilting and sewing. Her sewing room is a magical labyrinth of well-organized machines, fabrics, and threads. It was her favorite place to be. She organized and hosted numerous sewing days and weekends with her friends, and she talked about these occasions endlessly with her daughters. In addition to attending quilting retreats, quilt shows, and sewing classes with the Silver Chicks, Debby relished opportunities to go thrift shopping and decorate for the holidays. She loved when all of the family would be together around a game of dominoes, where everyone navigated her frequently changing Mexican Train rules and grandchildren won money rewards. Nobody could stop Debby from spoiling her grandchildren.

Debby is known for her generosity, work ethic, and unwavering faith in God. She volunteered, sewing prayer quilts, baking cookies, and serving at funerals with the Catholic Daughters. Debby is preceded in death by her parents, Bertha and Elizar Espinoza; and her brother, Alex Espinoza. She is survived by her devoted husband, Allen; her daughters, Lisa Gurley (Lee Gurley), Kristen Wicke (Michael Huebner), and Jennifer Russo (David Russo); her grandchildren, Allen Gurley, Laura Oliver (Dakota Oliver), and Jack Russo; her great-granddaughter, Anderson Oliver; her brothers, Gilbert (Veronica), Tony (Rosie), and Roy Espinoza (Deborah); her sister, Dora Sanchez (Roman); and nieces and nephews.

Visitation is scheduled for Friday, August 9 at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in East Bernard at 9 a.m., with a Rosary and eulogy to follow at 9:30. Directly afterward, a funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. with Father Charles Otsiwah officiating. Internment will follow at the Holy Cross Cemetery. Afterwards, please join us for a reception at the Holy Cross Catholic Church. 

Arrangements are made under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Debby's name to the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery Fund or the East Bernard Volunteer Fire Department. 

Condolences for the family can be left at whartonfuneral.com.