Deborah Woodyard

Deborah Ellen Woodyard

On Saturday, May 7th, 2022, Deborah Ellen Woodyard of Houston, Texas, a beloved wife, mother and grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend left us on earth to be with her Heavenly Father. She was 63.

Deborah was born in San Diego, California on August 7th, 1958 to Ellen (Garra) Heid and Frederick Leo Heid. She was their fifth child.

Deborah graduated from Helix High School, excelling in drama all four years and earning solid grades. Deborah was smart and an active leader in student council. She particularly enjoyed and claimed fame in planning prom at the Hotel Del Coronado. Deborah moved to Houston in 1982 where she settled in northwest Houston with her family. Deborah enjoyed an over twenty-five-year career in the mortgage industry.

Deborah was very active and loved games. She taught the evolution of aerobics from jazzercize to step aerobics, even owning her own aerobics studio at one point. She enjoyed tennis, bowling, volleyball, and waterskiing. Deborah also dominated at boardgames, puzzles, and card games. She enjoyed cheering on her daughters (more recently grandkids) and making friends through their sports and various activities. She was always their loudest cheerleader. Deborah was very creative, painting banners for swim meets, painting ceramics for decorations and ornaments. She was the ultimate entertainer, staging her dining room table weeks in advance for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Deborah enjoyed going to the lake and spending time at her and Michael’s lakehouse on the weekends. She especially enjoyed vacations with Michael on a beach or a cruise.

Those left to cherish Deborah’s memory include her husband Michael, and her daughters Jennifer Rayburn and her husband Brian, Elena Velasquez and her husband Travis. Deborah (Mimi) leaves six grandchildren - Jacob, Reese, Jude, Luke, Cole, and Dean. She is survived by her father Fred Heid and wife Jan. She leaves five siblings, Anne (Heid) and Michael Marquez, Judy (Heid) and John Alford, Leo and Ruth Heid, Diane (Heid) and Larry Sack, Mary Jo Heid, and James and Mary Heid. She is survived by her sister-in-law Gaye Woodyard and leaves over twenty nieces and nephews who adored her fun spirit. Deborah will also be remembered by several cousins and countless friends.

Deborah was predeceased by her mother, Ellen Heid, and her brother, Paul Heid.

Services for Deborah will be held at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 6622 Haskell Street, Houston, Texas 77007 on Saturday, May 14th, 2022 at 11:30 with a reception immediately following at the St. Theresa Fellowship Hall.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, the old order has passed away.” Revelations 21:4