Debra Kay Jernigan Burkhard passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at the age of 70. She was surrounded by family in her home in Johnson City, Texas.

Debbie is survived by her loving husband and best friend, Bart Burkhard. She is also survived by her children, Heather (Tim) Watson, Dustin (JoDee) Herst, Mary (Paul) Gorst and John Herst (Brett Hardy), as well as her grandchildren, Tyler Hernandez, Cade Wagner, Cassidy Wagner, Brandt Wagner, Henry Gorst, Chase Watson, and Ryan Watson. She leaves behind two sisters, Patti (David) Williams and Gerri Wallingford, as well as nieces and nephews, Rick (Leslie) Pulliam, Kim Ruiz, Julie (Brandon) Eggeson and Cole (Leah) Green and numerous great-nieces and nephews. She is survived by her step-father, Archie Moczygemba.

Debbie was born on March 9, 1954 in Austin, Texas to Marie (Mary) Selma Hermenia Raesz Jernigan and Ceward Nolan Jernigan. She was raised by her mother, Mary, and stepfather, Bill Dugger, in Austin, Texas. She graduated from McCallum High School in 1972 and then attended the University of Texas at El Paso. She spent many years helping her parents at Dugger Florist in the Rosedale community of Austin.

In 1974, she married her first husband, James Herst. They had four children and lived in Elgin and Coupland, Texas. They divorced in 1995.

In 1996, she met Bart; the two were married on May 28, 2005. The couple lived in Cedar Park until 2011 when they moved to Johnson City, Texas.

Professionally, Debbie was an accomplished Human Resources Manager, serving IBM, Dell, and TCEQ, as well as numerous startups and serving as a consultant to several organizations. She served on the board of the Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area and covered Johnson City and Blanco County for the local newspaper.

She and Bart renovated and repurposed the historic Blanco County Annex building in downtown Johnson City, offering a space for new and small businesses to thrive. Their mission was to help build community and lift-up local business owners in a real and sustainable way. Together, they were involved in community outreach and events, volunteering for many local groups.

Debbie enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and quilting, especially for her children and grandchildren. She made all of her daughters' Easter dresses when they were young, taking them to JoAnn's to pick out fabric and a pattern of their choosing. She sewed outfits for all her children and dozens of blankets for her grandchildren in anticipation of their arrivals. Like her mother, Debbie could crochet beautifully and made each of her grandchildren keepsake afghans. Harkening back to her days working alongside her mom and dad at the floral shop, Debbie was a tremendous florist. In addition, she was a Master Gardener with two green thumbs! She loved gardening and took pride in her flower beds. She loved yellow bells, blue mist, Pride of Barbados, and bluebonnets.

Debbie loved music and enjoyed seeing her favorite bands live. She introduced her grandchildren to all her favorites, and they fell in love with them as well. They have fond memories of cranking up the radio and singing to all the greats as they went on adventures with their Momo.

She was an avid reader, loved the ocean, traveling, and learning new things. She and Bart enjoyed several trips, including going to her favorite country, Greece.

Debbie was a friend to many and loved and adored by her family. She was extremely proud of her children and was smitten with her grandchildren.

Her legacy will be one of grace, laughter and love. Her smile was infectious and could light up a room.  The world was better because she was in it, and we will miss her dearly. We love you, Momo, a bushel and a peck.

At Debbie's request, we will hold a private family Celebration of Life at a later date. For those who would like to make a donation in Debbie's memory, the family has set up a Go Fund Me, with the funds donated to be split between two charities that were dear to her, Habitat for Humanity and World Central Kitchen. Please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-debbie-burkhard .