Debra Jean Thomas

Mrs. Debra Jean Thomas, affectionately known as "Sweet Legs," departed this earthly life on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at her residence in Saginaw, Michigan, at the age of 62. She was born on December 28, 1962, to Trannie Lavada Salon and Henry Lee Gray in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Debra, a resident of Saginaw, Michigan, was employed as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Ross Medical Center for over fifteen years. Staying true to her profession, Debra also worked in home health care for many years. She enjoyed helping those in her life and everyone around her. Debra loved her family and friends; she was a great and beloved mother, teacher, and friend. Her best friend was “Steve Harvey.” No one dared touch the TV when Steve was on! Debra loved cooking, laughing, and shopping, and was full of joy, love, and happiness. Mrs. Debra Jean Thomas will be greatly missed.

Debra’s memory will be forever cherished by her soulmate, John Stewart, whom she dearly loved for twenty-five years; two daughters and two sons, Leonard (Rachel) Hernandez, Debbie (Manuel) Gonzales, Darris Woods, and Lynnquina Shorter; stepson, Barry Siler; grandchildren, De-Quendre (Tyquisha) Hopkins, August Hopkins, Zaniyah Douglas, Sinclair Hopkins, Thiel Hernandez, Jessica Hernandez and DeAndre Davis; a host of great-grandchildren, one sister, Tammy Renea Gray; five brothers, Twannie Deon Gray, David Robertson, Dr. Twannie Lushun (Georgette) Gray, Donnell (Mary Ann) Gray, and Willie Ray Gray, both of Chicago, Illinois; five nieces, Amber Gray, Daijenea Wright, Jaquiese Gray, LaShell McCullough, and Chloe Gray; two nephews, Monterio Wright, and Julius McCullough. Debra will be missed by many other relatives and friends; special friends, Barry Shorter, Teshijha Walker; nurse, Tracy Hack, Bobby Douglas, Chaplain, Mrs. Viola Gonzales, and John Woods.

Debra was preceded in death by her parents, Trannie Lavada Gray and Henry Lee Gray; grandmother, Ivory Minnie Thomas; one brother, Charles LaVaughn Robertson, uncles and aunts, James H. (Priscilla) Sloan, Jimmy Sloan, Chester Sloan, and Jackie Parham; and brother-in-law, Roosevelt Pete Shorter.