Deborah Laura Oakes May

Deborah Laura Oakes May, 54, passed away on June 15, 2017 at home in Boles Acres, New Mexico. She was born on July 13, 1962 in Holyoke, Massachusetts to Desmond and Joan (Mattice) Oakes.

Debby worked at Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center for 15 years as a Coding Specialist II. Growing up as a military brat, she moved from military base to military base until finally settling down on a small farm in New Mexico. She became a hard working mom who loved the Lord, her friends and family more than anything. She did everything she could to help everyone around her, even if that was just to show up with a smile on her face. Many liked her as she met everything in life that was brought her way with an optimistic outlook. She was woman of many talents which included singing, dancing, sewing, cosmetology, and cake decorating. Debby was a wonderful woman and will be missed more than she could've realized. Debby's wings were ready but our hearts were not.

Survivors include; two sisters, Becky Ann (Oakes) Ross and her husband Adam Ross of La Luz, NM; Jackie L Oakes of Alamogordo, NM; two sons, James W. Richards of Las Vegas, NV; Timothy D Richards of Boles Acres, NM; daughter Joanie Samantha Lasiter of Alamogordo, NM; two nieces, Dawn E and Zachary Flowers and two children Zachary Jr., and Cassandra Flowers of Ruidoso, NM; Stephanie A (Gipson) Maddox and her husband William, of Alamogordo, NM; father to daughter Joanie Lasiter, Sam I Lasiter of Tularosa, NM; two step-brothers, Benjamin Miller and Kennith Miller; two step-sisters, Jan Bostick and her family as well as Tina Martin and her family.

Debby was preceded in death by her father; Desomond Dufore Oakes and mother Joan Elizabeth Mattice (Oakes) Miller.

A memorial service will be held at Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home at 10 AM, Saturday, June 24, 2017 with Pastor David Crispin officiating.

A reception will be held at the American Legion at 12 PM following the memorial service,

Should friends desire, contributions may be made to the Oakes family for Debby's children. The family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home to direct funeral services.

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