Debra Jean Tyler

Debra J. Tyler of Ocoee, TN. passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Sunday, June 20th, 2021. She loved reading when she could, from cheesy romance to American History Novels. Always ignoring everyone around her when engrossed in a book, getting lost for hours transporting herself to fantasy worlds. When she wasn’t reading, she was digging in the dirt making more gardens than she could attend to. Finding beauty where others didn’t think to look. As she would sit by her garden for hours with a cup of hot tea in hand, admiring nature's beauty only she could see in such a way. Animals would be drawn to her, feeding the squirrels and chipmunks peanuts by hand. Hanging bird feeders in every single tree in the yard to attract birds of all kinds. Her favorite was in choosing her plants to attract hummingbirds. She also loved her dogs and spoiled them horribly. As they will certainly miss her table scraps, treats secretly given while no one is looking or the days just spent with them. No one else had a chance, they were hers… Among her love of animals was her love of children, fiercely loving her own children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Helping to raise nieces and nephews, even fostering when she could. As told by her, the gray hair came from us all! She loved sales in which she worked most of her career ending in furniture sales. Never allowing independent choices, her approval was needed prior to all purchases. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ida and Mearl Harnish, a son, 1 sister and 3 brothers. Survived by her 3 children Jeffrey Hoffman husband to Kim, David Hoffman husband to Tracy and Barbara Murphy wife to Todd. Grandchildren Ben, Morgan, Tasha, Samantha and Daniel. 3 great grandchildren, 3 sisters and 3 brothers. In lieu of flowers, donations to be made to St. Judes.