may 19, 1954 – january 11, 2026.
On May 19, 1954, Preston Clark McBeth Jr. and Madie Louise McBeth welcomed the first of 6 bundles of joy into the world! Deborah Elaine amazed doctors being born with 2 teeth!
Deborah accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mary Olive Missionary Baptist Church and later united with Fiesta Missionary Baptist Church as a child, when the family moved. In later years, she united with First Outreach Missionary Baptist Church, New Beginnings Baptist Church and Israel Baptist Church, serving in the Choir and leadership positions with the Deaconess and Mission ministries. More recently, she has been a member of Silverlake Church where she previously served on the Cornerstone ministry and was currently part of the Intercessory Prayer team.
Deborah married the love of her life, Charles Willie Clemons on August 23, 1986. To this union, no children were born; but, she gained two stepsons, Jeffery Clemons and Thorrace Brown. Although Charles and Deborah had no children together, they were mother and father figures to many!
Deborah’s life took an interesting path full of challenges she overcame, but even more accomplishments! She graduated from Ross Sterling High School in 1972 where she was one of the first Black girls allowed to perform on the field in their dance team, then known as the Cavaliers. She was a proud graduate of Prairie View A&M University in 1977 with a degree in Education where she later went back to receive her Master’s Degree. Before beginning a teaching career, she worked in the Oil and Gas industry at Shell Oil, Gulf Oil, and Chevron Oil. She subsequently began her career in Education and taught at different schools and levels such as Hargest Business School, Houston Community College, and schools in the Alief School District where she retired as a Special Education Teacher in 2014, after a total of 30 plus years of teaching! She was also a Mary Kay Consultant for many years until her health did not allow her to continue.
Deborah was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999 where she was blessed to be in remission until the disease reared its ugly head again in 2010 when she found it had Metastasized to her lungs and later her liver. So, what many didn’t know, Deborah had been on some type of chemotherapy, often in the form of chemo pills from clinical trials, for the past 15 years! She was a member of CanCare where she drove people that didn’t have rides to their chemotherapy treatments and would often times attend appointments with new patients for support.
Because of her thirst for the word, Deborah has been active in many bible study groups over the years, but most recently she was a part of Bible Study Fellowship International and Focus on Faith Bible Study.
Deborah spent numerous hours fasting, encouraging, and praying for people, regardless of what she was dealing with herself!
Deborah made her infirmity her ministry until the very end of her life! This is where she gained the victory and what we are here to rejoice about!
Deborah gained her wings on Sunday, January 11, 2026. She was preceded in death by her husband: Charles W. Clemons; parents: Preston and Madie McBeth; sister: Brenda McBeth Stout; and brother: Preston Clark McBeth III.
Having lived a life of exemplary faith, she leaves to cherish her memory a brother: Kevin McBeth from St. Louis, Missouri; two sisters: Carolyn Raglin and Gwen Pittman (Harvey); two step sons: Jeffery Clemons and Thorrace Brown (life partner Lorrie); granddaughter: Malai Gobert; God-daughter: Daijah McBeth; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.