Debra Smith Pleasant

Debra Woods-Smith-Pleasant, age 63, of Eastland, passed away peacefully early Saturday morning. Services for Debra will be held Friday, January 17th at the Leon River Cowboy Church at 2:00 PM, burial will follow in the Eastland City Cemetery. A visitation is one hour prior to service at the church. Local arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
Debra pleasant was born November 6, 1956, in Eastland, Texas to Danny and Vera Woods. Debra began school at Olden. Her first teacher was Mrs. Nanna Almond, who had taught her father and grandfather. Mrs. Almond may have very well been the initial spark for Debra’s career in education. The Olden School eventually consolidated in 1969 at which point Debra transferred to Eastland the following year. She graduated Eastland High School in 1975 and went on to pursue her education at Tarleton State University where she received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Upon receiving her Master’s, Debra entered the teaching field at Siebert Elementary School in Eastland where she taught until she married and moved to Dumas. Debra taught in Dumas ISD and later at Lubbock ISD.
Life eventually brought her back to Eastland in the mid 1980’s where she taught special education for several years before transitioning to the Educational Diagnostician Field. Debra began her diagnostician career with East End Co-op. She followed her diagnostician’s career to Breckenridge ISD before joining Abilene ISD where she concluded a career in education that spanned 40 years, retiring in 2018. Debra enjoyed working with children and was driven by compassion and a desire to help children have the best life possible.
Debra was known among family and friends for her big heart. She loved her family, friends, and her little dog, Ginger.
She is survived by her son, Landan James Smith of Abilene; mother, Vera Woods of Eastland; brother, Sidney Woods; sister-n-law, K.B. Woods; nephew, Mason Woods; and niece, Morgan Woods of Abilene.
Debra’s family extends a special thanks to her dear friend, Steve Toliver who supported her through this difficult journey and remained steadfast to the very end.
In lieu of flowers and plants, the family would prefer donations be made to one of the following which meant a great deal to Debra: West Texas Rehab- Hospice of the Big Country; St. Jude’s Children
Research Hospital; or The American Cancer Society.