Memorial service for Debbie Lynn Martin will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, September 26, 2024 in the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Rodney Campbell of Fletcher, Oklahoma officiating. The family requests that guests dress casual.

Burial will follow in Post Cemetery, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Debbie Lynn Martin was born November 7, 1955 (along with her twin brother Leland) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma to MSG (Retired) Robert and Lillian (Love) Martin. She passed away Thursday, September 19, 2024, in Snyder, Oklahoma at the age of 68. Debbie was almost born in Germany. Her father, Robert, was a career soldier stationed in Germany along with the entire family when Debbie was conceived, but military doctors sent her mother back stateside due to potential complications of twins,

Debbie was an incredible person who overcame physical challenges throughout her life. Born with a severe heart defect, she was not strong enough to go through surgery until age five. Doctors said then she was not expected to live past 30, she sure proved them wrong.

Her father was stationed in Berlin, Germany in 1963 to 1967.  With no special education teachers in the US Military schools then, Debbie attended German schools but after a couple of years they had to pull her out of German schools to be home schooled because German became her dominant language, and her parents could not understand her. Debbie, her sister Bobbie, and brother Leland all spoke German and would tease their parents by speaking in German around the house. In addition to Germany, Debbie attended schools in Lawton, Oklahoma and Sherman, Texas.  She graduated from Douglas School in 1974.  She attended Greiner School for the Handicapped for many years until it closed.  One of their mantras was "I am not handicapped, I am Handicapable", and Debbie lived to that belief.  She loved painting, sewing and all kinds of crafts. She quilted blankets, did hook rugs, liked coloring books and painted some amazing paintings.  Debbie was a particularly good bowler, starting in high school she bowled on a regular basis. She bowled in the Special Olympics over 30 years, often getting the gold medal. Debbie attended karate school for many years, attaining the rank of yellow belt.  Debbie loved to dance, and boy did she have rhythm!  Her favorite singer was John Travolta, and she would dance and sing to the movie Grease over and over.

Debbie had an uncanny ability to remember birthdays.  She would get a calendar every year and the first thing she would do was circle all family members' birthdays.  You could ask her any time and she could reply with date and day of the week each family members birthday without looking at the calendar,

Debbie had a quick smile and a big hug for everyone she encountered. When we hiked in the Wichita Mountains she would greet and hug everyone on the trail.  She was a joyful person and spread joy and love wherever she went, and this world is a better place because of her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Bobbie Martin and brother, Daryll Coulson.

Survivors include twin brother, Leland Martin and Diana of Lawton, brother, Larry Coulson and Andra of Blue Springs, Missouri, many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Special thanks go out to the staff at Ayers Nursing home in Snyder for the kind and caring attention they gave to Debbie and our family.

In lieu of flowers, please make charitable contributions to the Special Olympics at https://support.specialolympics.org