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(Boardman) Prather, Deborah "Debbie" Kay

January 13, 1952 –
 November 10, 2019

Obituary

Deborah Kay Boardman Prather, “Debbie”, age 67, beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandma, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and HandyMa’am died in Frisco, TX on Sunday, November 10, 2019. After a long and courageous fight, she succumbed to a quiet, insidious disease: depression. Debbie suffered valiantly through the ravages of this physically transparent illness for many, many years. Depression is a brain disease that is as deadly and as blame-free as cancer or heart disease, though not yet as effectively treated. She was born in Hereford, Texas on January 13, 1952, where after graduation, she worked for Armour Meat Packing Plant until 1981, when she moved to Dallas and worked for Southwest Home Furnishings Association. She earned her Associate in Applied Arts & Sciences degree in 1989. She lived in Springfield, MO until 2001, when she moved back to Dallas to work for International Home Furnishings in the World Trade Center. In 2013 her entrepreneurial spirit resulted in her innovative and very satisfying business called “HandyMa’am”, with the vision of “call me for the Honey Do’s that Honey Doesn’t” from which she semi-retired to flirt with retirement in 2018. She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Lynn Prather Smith, son-in-law, Glenn Smith, three granddaughters, Logan, Brynn and Tegan Smith; three sisters, Nancy Boardman Stevens, Linda Boardman Fite and Dee Dee Boardman Brunson; two brothers-in-law, Paul Fite and Jerry Brunson; six nieces, Debbie Gray, Sharon Hughes, Justine Cogan-Gunn, Helen Hedrick, Amber Fite, and Tracy Gilley Moore; five nephews, Nathan Gunn, Robert Gray, Ben Hughes, Paul Fite IV, and J.Wes Moore; fourteen  great-nieces and nephews, Justin Gray, Shaylynn Gray Cherry, Tyler Cherry, Trinity MacLeod Greenwell, Kevin Greenwell, Matthew MacLeod, BJ, Cody Jay, and Travis Hughes; William, Maddie, and Ethan Hedrick; Danielle & Jen Hale and their daughter Gayden; Maisie Cogan Gunn; Bree, Hazel, & Summer Fite, and Ta’Korria and Montez Perkins; seven newly acquired Moore nephews and nieces; a passel of very special cousins in New Mexico, Missouri, Minnesota, and Florida; and her long-time friend Ken Fuller. Debbie was greeted in heaven by her parents, Irene and Herb Boardman, her brother-in-law, Dean Stevens, her niece, Casey MacLeod, and many other loved ones. Debbie was known for her innovative problem-solving, her “Lady-Gaga-esque” outfits, her bright and sunny disposition, and her ability to blend goofiness and fun with an incredible gift for getting things done. Her approach to solving a problem was always a fresh and unique one that would not have occurred to anyone else, but demonstrated brilliance once it was accomplished. She spread love wherever she went and was truly one of a kind, with a generous servant’s heart. She will forever be missed by all who knew her. A brief and informal celebration of her life was held on Saturday, November 16, 2019 from 2-5 pm at Lakeview Christian Church, 3307 Bobtown Road in Garland. Additional celebrations of life will be held in Albuquerque, NM next year, as well as Hereford, TX and Rochester, NY. Updates of that information will be shared as it is finalized.  

Arrangements under the direction of:

Aria Cremation Service and Funeral Home

19310 Preston Road

Dallas, Texas 75252

(214) 306-6700

    Diane Bennett
    19 Nov 2019
    10:28am

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very tragic period.

    Linda Rowley
    19 Nov 2019
    10:50am

    Thinking of you Nancy with love, and wishing you peace and comfort ❤️

    Nikki Kramer
    19 Nov 2019
    12:59pm

    Nancy, I was so sorry to hear of your loss. I am sure you will miss your mom greatly.

    Shannon Hagar
    19 Nov 2019
    4:59pm

    My most heartfelt condolences to the Boardman, Prather, and Fuller families. I spent many happy hours in the company of the Boardman family, during my youth, growing up in HEREFORD. Debbie was a sweet and gentle spirit. I haven’t seen her in many years, but as her photo reflects, she looks so very much like her beautiful mother.
    Prayers for your comfort and peace.

    Jenny Holt McWhorter
    19 Nov 2019
    5:06pm

    So sorry for your loss. I grew up with Nancy, just down the road in Hereford. My prayers go out for your family.

    Sylvia Phipps Rupert
    19 Nov 2019
    7:22pm

    My love, my prayers to this family. I went to high school with LINDA and wish her love and comfort at this time. Words aren’t enough, but I do wish you the peace that passeth all understanding.
    ❤️ ❤️

    Biviana M.
    19 Nov 2019
    7:49pm

    On Monday evening, a group of friends got together to remember Debbie. We took turns talking about the times she showed kindness to us: she cooked dinner, came to fix our homes, and invited us more than once to her apartment. We also rejoiced remembering her festive spirit and her willingness to help everyone she met. We talked about the last time each of us saw her, and after an hour of conversation, we all agreed in one thing: No matter the circumstances, Debbie went out of her way to make us feel loved and appreciated.
    We will miss you, dear Debbie.
    Melody, Shari, Martha, Katherine, Carrie and Biviana.

    Ellen Key
    19 Nov 2019
    10:09pm

    I cannot believe I will no longer run into Debbie in the parking lot of the Unity Church on Forest Lane in Dallas… But, I am certain that I will hear her laugh on the wind; and the next time I’m working on a home improvement project, I may ask her for some help! She probably marched up to the pearly gates and told them if they needed better lighting; she could install some Daylight bulbs for them! Love & blessings to those she left behind – Ellen Key, Plano, TX

    Joy Perkins
    19 Nov 2019
    11:45pm

    I always appreciate Debbie’s spirit – gentleness and loving kindness. i am so sorry for your loss.

    Pam Campbell Chavez
    20 Nov 2019
    12:16pm

    I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers for all.

    Karla Boardman Crawford
    20 Nov 2019
    3:13pm

    I was always in awe of Debbie. I looked up to her for not only her strength and compassion but her huge loving heart. God bless her and all of her family

    Jill Foval-Crouch
    20 Nov 2019
    4:27pm

    I’m so sorry to hear this ☹️. I first met DEBBIE when she lived in Springfield. I traveled to Dallas several times to visit DEBBIE.
    My heart hurts at this time having questions and no answers . I loved DEBBIE so much and appreciated her for all she was.
    She so loved her daughter and family so much and I’ve watched many wonderful videos of those beautiful granddaughters. She was always so excited about the family.
    I will be keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers.
    Fly high DEBBIE.
    I love you,
    Jill

    Kathy
    21 Nov 2019
    8:26pm

    Always lives and always our hearts. The Boardmans

    June Doan
    22 Nov 2019
    6:11am

    Debbie was always the brightest light in the room. She spread love where ever she went. I will miss her so much. I surround her daughter and family with love.

    Paul Fite
    22 Nov 2019
    2:22pm

    Debbie was my sister-in-law and I love her. She’s the only sister-in-law I’ve ever had who came with her own complete set of power tools!

    Mary Newman
    22 Nov 2019
    5:02pm

    Love and prayers for Debbie and all her loved ones.
    Mary

    Cynthia Watson
    23 Nov 2019
    9:43pm

    I’m so very sorry that this bright light has transitioned from this planet. My sincere thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time.

    CJ Lawlis
    30 Nov 2019
    1:01pm

    I’m so sorry for the loss of Debbie. She was a very sweet lady. Many prayers to her family and friends.

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"I can’t say enough about how helpful and professional Dusty Martin, the funeral director at the Aria Cremation location on NW Highway has been. From my initial call, he was kind and informative. My friend died at home while on hospice and she was picked up in about an hour after receiving the call from the hospice nurse. The person who arrived to pick her up was also very professional/respectful and allowed us to take as much time with her as we wished. When I met with Dusty the next day about arrangements, he explained the process and options available without being pushy or trying to “sell” extras. Throughout the process, he kept me informed and, for example, was careful to be certain I understood the cost of the obituary I wanted and offered some options for reducing that cost if I wished. When I stopped by for another reason and started talking about some of the problems I was having with the pictures and media I hoped to use at a memorial lunch I was planning, he not only listened patiently but offered technology advice and let me use his personal media player. I have had experience arranging cremations for four others using two other local companies, and this experience with Dusty at Aria has been by far the best one I have had."
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"My Daddy’s service and our family experience at Aria Northwest Highway was truly blessed. Funeral Director Dustin Martin is the kind of person that you would like to see on a more regular basis – but in his industry – you hope to not see him that often. That being said – THANK YOU DUSTIN for your unending kindness, compassion and friendship through the process. Meeting you and discussing Dallas History, Find A Grave and my Dad’s lifelong contributions to the great City of Dallas was simply wonderful! In memory of my dad James A. Dodd, Sr. – I want to personally thank you and let you know that you made everything better in that moment. Your calling to “Be There” is spot on. Aria has a one in a million guy in you! Bling Blinky of TEXAS Shout Out: God Bless You!!"
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