Debi Lynn Jackson

Debi Lynn Jackson passed away at her home, surrounded by her family, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at age 69, ending her battle with cancer for the past year and a half.

Her family will hold a gathering to celebrate Debi’s life at their home (969 LCR 793, Groesbeck, TX 76642) on Sunday, June 1, 2025, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Debi was born on March 10, 1956, to Eugene Morris Ackles and Eileen (Hammershmidt) Ackles, in Downey (Los Angeles), California. She had three brothers, with one passing away in childhood. Debi grew up in Buena Park, CA and graduated from high school in Long Beach, CA in 1974.  Debi moved from California to Mesquite in 1980 and then to Mexia in 1981, and continued to live in Limestone County, TX.

Debi was united in marriage with David Phillip Jackson in Groesbeck on August 30, l984, and they lived in Groesbeck the rest of her life. As well as attending Navarro College, Debi graduated with certification from the New York Institute of Photography in 1997.

Debi was a very skilled and creative photographer. She practiced her art while taking many photographs of her children and grandchildren. She and David remodeled an old building in Groesbeck for her studio, where she worked from 1998 through 2003. She specialized in photos of children and had very new and creative ideas, with fairytale and fantasy themes. All the family helped in the studio; David was the one who could get the smiles and laughs from the babies and children.

Debi went to work at the Limestone County Courthouse in 2003 in the tax office, where she worked for about eighteen years until her retirement. She also helped her husband David with his bees, enjoying harvesting and bottling the honey, which he sold locally through word-of-mouth interest from many people.

Debi especially loved Halloween, and she and David created an elaborate haunted-house at their home for several years, with many people showing up to enjoy their work and be frightened.

She was the “hostess with the mostess” for her family, and each holiday and family gathering was well planned and elaborate with decorations and centerpieces; she planned and everyone else helped with the preparations.

Debi also loved gardening and created a beautiful yard. She was an artistic creator in everything she did, and in fact, everything she touched turned beautiful.

She had opened a shop in Jewett not very long ago, where she had an embroidery machine, and sold embroidered shirts, hats, and other gift items. She really enjoyed this work, which was just before she was diagnosed with cancer.

Debi was the perfect mother and leader of her family. She leaves behind many grand photographs to see and wonderful memories for the family to hold in their hearts and cherish all their lives.

Debi was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Richard Sexton in 1983; and a son, Shane Sexton in 2005.

She is survived by her husband, David Jackson of Groesbeck; daughter and son-in-law, Shermane and Gypsy Bean of Groesbeck; son and daughter-in-law, Wesley and Cherokee Sexton of Monahans; son, Rick Sexton of Groesbeck; daughter, April Thomas of Groesbeck; and daughter and son-in-law, Ashlee and Bryan Shiflett of Groesbeck. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.