Deborah Louise (Eaton) Arceneaux was born in Galveston, Texas, June 15, 1956, the third of five children born from the union of Katherine Elizabeth and Albert “Sam Eaton, Sr.  Deborah grew up in Hitchcock, Texas after her parents moved from Galveston, Texas at her early age.  She accepted Christ at an early age where the family worshipped at Wesley Tabernacle United Methodist Church in Galveston, Texas and then at Wilbur Chapel United Methodist Church in Hitchcock, Texas.

     Deborah graduated from Hitchcock High School as a Moody scholar honor student in May 1974.  While there, she became one of two first black cheerleaders after integration.  After graduating high school, she attended College of the Mainland where she began a study in accounting.  In addition to receiving the prestigious area Moody Scholarship, she was also a recipient of the Texas City Rotary Scholarship at the College of the Mainland, and went on to the University of Houston and then to Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas.

     Deborah was a beautiful person, inside and out.  She had a beautiful soul inside, and her outward beauty landed her invitations to model in various elite department stores in the Galveston and Houston areas, as well as in modeling competitions around the areas.  She won most competitions she participated in.  She was selected for the Bonnie Harris (a popular nationally known black model during this time) Model Agency, where in 1976, Deborah won first place in runway and photogenic, in the Galveston and Houston competitions.  There is no doubt that she could have easily become a national or international model had she pursued this field.

     After her return to the bay area, Deborah became a dedicated employee at the University of Texas Medical Branch, where she worked in medical records, later becoming a supervisor in the department.  She took pride and loved the work she did there.  Deborah’s health issue with multiple sclerosis progressively heightened and led to her retirement after 30+ years. 

     As with anything she affiliated with, Deborah was tops, including being a great cook. She loved to cook and the family always looked forward to her preparation of the “good ole’ seafood gumbo.” Her sister Julia comments that “There was no, is no, nor will there ever be a gumbo better than hers…she taught me how to.”

     Sadly, on January 11, 2023, our beloved Debbie passed away.  Loved ones that preceded her in death were her parents; her former husband, Eddie Arceneaux; her brothers, Joseph Eaton, Sr., and Albert Eaton, Jr.

     She is survived by her children:  Victoria “Vickie” Taylor, Courtney (Bria) Arceneaux, Quentin Arceneaux, and Jessica Smiley; seven grandchildren:  Morgan Reid, Brenden Amey, Da’Maya Cauley, Da’Mon’ Cauley, Jayden Smiley, Alayiah Coleman, and Aryiah Coleman; one great grandchild, Brock Kelly, Jr.; sisters, Julia Eaton Holland, Pearland, TX, Linda James Price of San Francisco, CA, Brenda James Bryant of Portland, Oregon, Claudia Eaton Pipkins of Galveston, TX, Camilla Eaton Gibson of Oakland, CA; two brothers, Chester D. Eaton, Pearland, TX, and Philip Green of Galveston, TX; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends, including her faithful and loving classmates of 1974.