DEBORAH T. FERRIER

1952-2016

Deborah Thiele Ferrier, born August 20, 1952, passed away on October 5, 2016, in Sugarland, TX. She was preceded in death by husband, Ronald A. Ferrier, father Louis W. Thiele, Jr., and in-laws Alexander and Elizabeth Ferrier.

Survived by daughter, Catherine L. Ferrier of Katy, mother, Christyne S. Thiele, and sister, Dawn Thiele, of San Antonio, brother, Dusty Thiele, of Katy, and brotherin-law, Bruce Ferrier of Fountain Valley, CA. She is also survived by nieces, Emily C. Rogers and husband Brad of Marshall, TX, Sarah E. Thiele of Kansas City, MO, and Laura Anne Thiele of Waco, TX. Debbie has an extended family of aunts, uncles and numerous cousins, with whom she loved to gather for family celebrations.

At an early age, Debbie walked down the aisle at Trinity Baptist Church in Pleasanton, TX, and dedicated her life to mission service. Though she never served on the mission field in a formal capacity, much of her adult life was spent ministering to others through programs at Tallowood Baptist Church where she was Director of Women’s Ministries, which coordinated the works of 33 groups. She served on the church’s Missions Committee, Committee on Committees and was a church greeter. During her time at Tallowood, she also went on mission trips Mexico, Israel and Moldova.

In 2002, Debbie moved to San Antonio, where she became active in Trinity Baptist Church, serving as Missions Minister and working with special needs members. She also traveled to England with a group of church members to attend the Centennial Celebration of the Baptist World Alliance.

Debbie was active for many years in Baptist organizations such as Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF), Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT), Texas Baptist Laity Institute, Union Baptist Association and Associational Women’s Missionary Union.

With CBF, Debbie was chairperson of the General Assembly Steering Committee, served on the Texas Coordinating Council and helped open the Texas office in San Antonio. She served in numerous capacities with BGCT, including 1st Vice President, Chair of Committee on Nominations for Institutional Boards, Member of the Executive Board, the Strategy Committee and Missions Review and Initiatives Committee.

In more recent years, Debbie committed much of her time to Baptist University of the Americas in San Antonio. She was a member of the Board of Directors and later served on staff as Director of Development and Campaign Initiatives, where she led fund raising efforts for their building program.

Debbie touched many lives through her commitment to missions, both at home and around the world; and she will be dearly missed.

There will be a viewing from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 9 at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, Houston, TX. A celebration of Debbie’s life will be held on Monday, October 10, 11:00 a.m. at Tallowood Baptist Church, Houston, TX. Burial will be at High Prairie Cemetery in Madisonville, TX.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Debbie’s name to Baptist University of the Americas, Attn: Teo Cisneros, 7838 Barlite Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78224