Deborah Lynn Lansford Settler was born in Oklahoma May 17, 1952 to Dr. William & Patricia Kirk Lansford (later, Patricia O'Shea). She graduated in 1970 from Monterey High School in Lubbock, then attended Texas Tech University from 1970-1975 and again in 1985, earning a Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Science Degrees.

Debbie taught elementary school classes, music, & choir for 37 years in Reagan County & Lubbock ISDs. She was on the State Board of Texas Classroom Teachers, and held several offices, including president, in Lubbock Classroom Teachers Association. She was the PTA President at Reagan Co & Ramirez Elementary Schools.

She was a member of the Overton South Neighborhood Association; an over 40-year member of the Lubbock, Texas, and National Music Teachers Associations; the Texas Music Educator Conference; the National Guild of Piano Teachers; and a 33-year member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Honor Society for Key Women Educators, Zeta Omicron Chapter, and was proud of the fact that she had her grandmother's pin, and was a past president of the organization

As a youth, Debbie joined the Trinity Baptist Church Lubbock Handbell Choir and the Youth Choir and accompanied the TBC Children's Choir.

When she married in 1977, she became a member of First United Methodist Church Lubbock and has been a member ever since. Debbie divorced in 1990. An active member of FUMC, Debbie sang in the Chancel Choir and went on many Chancel Choir trips to Europe, the Far East, New Zealand, and to churches in the United States. She attended the Pathfinders Sunday School Class, and taught Vacation Bible School.

Her friends remember that Debbie loved to hostess parties—Super Bowl, Graduation, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Holidays, and other get-togethers. She attended special events in the lives of many of her friends' families and those of her students. She was a true friend and supporter of those she loved.

Debbie passed into her heavenly home on November 7, 2023. She was predeceased by an infant son, Shannon, and is survived by her brother, Locke Lansford and sister, Shayron O'Shea, and two nieces and a nephew, many friends, and many grateful and loving piano students. Her much loved 4-legged family who are missing her greatly, include her Great Pyrenees dog Lucy, her Rat Terrier-mix/rescue Chuck, and Shadow a rescue cat.

Debbie left in her legacy that she "loved my family and friends, music, good food, smell of rain, and butterflies. Motto: life will sometimes give us lemons. I choose to make lemonade every time." She "never littered, & wouldn't let others litter in my presence; served the Lord-every chance I had; hated injustice, spoke out against intolerance & violence; tried to be a good citizen of the local community and the global –community—'You know, a Christian'; and 'tried to show that Jesus lived so strongly in me, that others would see Him shining through me!'"

Celebration of life services will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1411 Broadway, Lubbock, Texas. Cremation services are under the direction of House of Angels Funeral Home.