61 years young
Debbie Hall Cook passed away peacefully at home on the morning of Monday, December 29, 2025, at 5:00 a.m., after a brave and unwavering battle with metastatic breast cancer. True to Debbie fashion, she was a timekeeper until her final breath. She was surrounded by love—her devoted husband of 42 years, her daughters, their spouses, and her most precious heart, her granddaughter Hadley.
Debbie was fierce, full of fight, sugar, sass, and unforgettable one-liners. She knew exactly who she was and never apologized for it. Her strength, grit, and determination defined her life and shaped the two strong-willed daughters she raised alongside her husband, Allan. Even through pain and suffering, Debbie never stopped going. She pushed forward, never looked back, embodying the heart of a true warrior—a “badass,” as her oncologist so perfectly said.
Above all else, Debbie was an extraordinary mother. She would have given the shirt off her back for anyone—especially her girls. She was her daughters’ biggest cheerleader, their constant supporter, and their safe place. No matter the decision, the dream, or the direction they chose, Debbie stood firmly behind them with unwavering pride, encouragement, and love. Her belief in her daughters never wavered, and they felt her support in every season of their lives. Debbie’s daughter’s knew how proud and much they meant to her and Allan. They never wondered and knew how much they are loved.
Debbie is survived by her loving husband, Allan Cook, of Austin. Their love story began long before adulthood—Debbie and Allan met as children in elementary school, became high school sweethearts, married young, and built a beautiful life side by side. Because of Allan’s service in the United States Air Force, they lived together in Arizona and Louisiana, creating memories wherever they landed, before ultimately settling in Austin, Texas, to be close to family. Though they were from the Hughes Springs area of Northeast Texas and loved returning to visit, their hearts always followed family—and each other.
She is survived by her daughters: Hilary Harper, husband Ryan, and her greatest joy and only grandchild, Hadley Rey Harper, along with fur-grandchildren Marie and Charlotte, all of Austin; and Holly Heines, husband Mat, and fur-grandchildren Joel and Kismet, of Richardson. Ryan and Mat were never just along for the ride—they were truly part of the adventure, traveling with Debbie and Allan, loving her fiercely, and making memories that will last forever.
It was a profound honor for Allan, Hilary, Ryan, and Hadley to walk so closely beside Debbie during the last three years of her life—caring for her, taking her wherever she wanted to go, and intentionally creating long-lasting memories filled with love, laughter, and togetherness. Those years were a gift to them all and will be cherished forever.
One of Debbie’s most treasured memories was when nearly her entire family was able to come together for Hilary and Ryan’s wedding cruise. Even family members who were not cruising were able to board the ship and experience it with the wedding party, allowing Debbie to share her deep love of cruising with everyone she loved. That special experience created lifelong cruise partners, unforgettable memories, and planted the love of cruising early in her future granddaughter Hadley Rey, who would grow to love cruising and being pampered just as much as her beloved MeMa.
Debbie also cherished celebrating Holly and Mat’s wedding in Las Vegas, followed by their beautiful reception on the family farm—another perfect blend of love, laughter, and togetherness. Both of Debbie’s daughters proudly inherited her travel gene, a legacy of adventure, curiosity, and making memories wherever life took them.
One of those unforgettable adventures was Disneyland, where Allan and Ryan worked tirelessly to make the experience truly magical—getting Debbie to and from the parks, ensuring her comfort, and creating a lasting, joy-filled memory for Hadley. Debbie soaked in every moment: the snacks, the parades, the Christmas decorations, and the wonder of it all. It was truly magical.
She is also survived by her parents: her mother, Carmen Hall, of Austin; her father, Dwain Hall, and his wife Pattie, of Hughes Springs.
Debbie leaves behind her beloved siblings and their families:
•Dennis Hall and wife Kaoru (Tobi), and their sons Kaison, Eilam, and Izaya, of Austin.
•William (Billy) Hall and wife Angie; their daughter Courtney (Nicole) and her son Andrew (Andy) Hall; and their son William (David), wife Amy, and their children Carmen and Griffin, all of Tyler.
•Mary Mears and husband Jon; their daughter Skylar, of Wimberley; grandson Ryland Mears, of Temple; and daughter Maryssa and husband CJ Gardner, of Sachse.
•Catherine Roman and husband Daniel (Danny); daughters Brittany, husband Ryan Persinger, and their daughter Riley, of Kyle; Hollie, husband Tyler Giles, and their son Ryker, of Ocean Springs; and Sara Roman and Kyle, of Leander.
•Madelyn Ramirez and husband Daniel; their son Aidan, of Buda; daughter Whitni (Kali), husband Miguel (Anthony) Valdez, and their daughters Lailah, Kinley, Reese, and baby girl Valdez on the way, of Kyle; and son Alex, wife Lauren, with baby Avery on the way, of Kyle.
•Wes Hall and wife Amanda, and their children Jayden, Nolan, and Mckenize, of Wimberley.
She is also survived by countless other family members, dear friends, and many friends she lovingly called family.
Debbie was preceded in death by her baby daughter Heather; her nephew Mark; her sister-in-law Shane Clark; her grandparents Ed, Marcella, William, Joe, and Letha (Mema)—who held a very special place in her heart; and her best friend Vickie.
And, in true Debbie style, she is surely reunited with her beloved “circus” of rescued animals and underdogs—Blackie, Boobie, Spunky, Bumfluff, Cheyenne, Laci, Axel, Presley, Mrs. Norris, Olivia, Farnie, and Lillian—all waiting for her over the rainbow bridge in heaven.
Debbie lived life in constant motion. She took 52 or 53 cruises with Carnival Cruise Line, four trips to Disneyland, countless road trips with Allan, their daughters, and devoted sons-in-law Ryan and Mat, and adventures to Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, San Diego, Fredericksburg, Long Beach, New York City, New Orleans, Shreveport, Boerne, Angel Fire, Dallas, Tyler, Colorado, Arizona, Oklahoma, and more. If there was a trip to take, Debbie was already packed.
When she wasn’t traveling, you could find her shopping (and hurrying her daughter along), wandering Target with her granddaughter, grabbing Starbucks or Dutch Bros, going to weekend breakfasts, visiting the Disney Store every single weekend, decorating for the next holiday, or happily ordering groceries—a pastime she truly enjoyed and took pride in. She deeply cherished her weekly visits from her nieces and great-nieces, spending time laughing, visiting, and soaking in the joy they brought her. Most of all, the time she spent with her granddaughter Hadley filled her life with endless joy and laughter for almost six beautiful years.
Debbie’s family group chats, especially the ones with her brothers and sisters, brought her constant laughter and comfort—even on her hardest days. She felt deeply supported by her siblings, and their closeness meant the world to her.
During Debbie’s final days, her husband Allan, daughters Hilary and Holly, granddaughter Hadley Rey never left her side. Her son-in-laws Mat and Ryan lovingly brought her whatever she wanted—food, drinks, or small comforts—ensuring she felt cared for and deeply loved. She was able to enjoy one last Christmas, her favorite holiday, surrounded by peaceful music and beautiful decorations. Her son-in-law Ryan created a true Christmas wonderland in her front yard, bringing her joy and magic during her final season.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Dr. Jennifer Wright, Rachael Hammerly, and Rebecca Fisher, at Texas Oncology, Amy Easterling, and to the many friends who texted, messaged, prayed, and thought of Debbie daily—those messages truly lit up her days.
If Debbie could leave one lasting gift, it would be this: please take care of yourselves. Get your mammograms. Be proactive. If her story helps even one person, she would be honored to help from heaven.
Debbie was loved deeply, lived fiercely, and will be missed beyond measure. Her legacy lives on through the love she gave, the strength she showed, and the memories she created.