Deborah Ann Nelson Dougharty

Deborah Ann Nelson Dougharty May 30, 1953 – March 20, 2025

Deborah “Debbie” Ann Nelson Dougharty went in peace to meet the Lord on March 20, 2025. Debbie was born on May 30, 1953, at Parks Air Force Base in California to Bobby F. Nelson and Cecile Perry Nelson who cherished her.

A brilliant child, she quickly excelled! Being an only child, Debbie adored her parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Debbie loved books and could often be caught reading a book propped in the window above the sink, while pretending to do the dishes. Predictably, she graduated as Valedictorian from Deweyville High School in 1971. She went on to attend Lamar University, University of Houston and North Texas University, graduating with degrees in Education and a Masters in Library Sciences.

In 1972 underneath the stars and pines, with mosquitoes and fireflies as witnesses, Debbie fell in love with Ralph Paul Dougharty. They married in 1973, and had three children: Benjamin, Brenna and Neil.

Debbie’s passion for literature, education, molding and shaping the future of our world led her to teaching at St. Vincent de Paul and numerous other schools in Fort Bend ISD. Her pride and joy were her children. She nurtured, embraced and provided them with endless love and attention. Whenever they could between raising children, Debbie and Paul would travel the world and experience live music. No matter where she was, she wanted the music loud so she could really feel it.

Debbie is survived by the love of her life of nearly 52 years, Paul Dougharty, her mother Cecile Nelson, her eldest son Benjamin Dougharty, daughter Brenna Heinrich, youngest son Neil Dougharty and his wife Kelli. She is also survived by her treasured grandchildren, Shea, Nicholas, Shelby, London, Declan, Zylar and Colson. Debbie is predeceased by her father Bobby Nelson and her son-in-law Brian Heinrich. She will be missed greatly by the students she influenced and the friends and colleagues she leaves behind. The family would like to thank the special angels that became a part of their family caring for Debbie tirelessly and unconditionally; Dalia Dominguez and Fina Hernandez.

Houston services will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at All Saints Catholic Church, 215 E 10th Street, Houston, Texas 77008. A Rosary will begin at 8:45am, Visitation at 9:00am and Mass at 10:00am. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 11:30am at the Dougharty Family Cemetery, 3057 Pea Farm Road, Orange, Texas 77632. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Ride to End Alzheimer’s Texas which the family has participated in the past 4 years under the name Team Debbie. http://act.alz.org/goto/TeamDebbie