On January 31, 1959, Debbie Laverne James was born to Henry James, Jr. and Joyce Fugett James in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. The family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where she attended and graduated from Clark High School. Debbie was one of the first black cheer leaders at Clark High School. Debbie accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age.

She later moved to Seattle, Washington, Dallas and then Mesquite, TX. In Mesquite she became a member of Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and was a member of WOW – Woman of Worth. Debbie attended Strayer University where she received an Associate of Science Degree in Cyber Security.

Her pride and joy was her son Darius Marley Woodson and her granddaughter Maliah Danielle Woodson. Debbie was known as the coordinator (Boss) of the family, organizing and keeping them together. If she was passionate about something, there was no stopping her. She would fight to the end and family meant a lot to her.

Debbie leaves to cherish her memories: her father, Heny James, mother, Joyce Ricks, son, Darius Woodson, granddaughter, Maliah Woodson, brother, Ronald James (Shay), nieces, Laquisha Joyce Green, Kristi Akin, nephews, Jason Jackson, Lee Jackson, Jaquan Hawley, George Hawley, great nieces, Jaycion Jackson, Domonique Sandford and Deliah Sandford as well as a multitude of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.