Debra Lou Kern, daughter of the late James Calhoun and Florence Owens Calhoun, was born on April 19, 1952, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and departed this life on January 17, 2025, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau at the age of 72.

Her friends and family knew her as Debbie. One of her proudest achievements was being crowned Mrs. Missouri in 1986. Awarded a scholarship from this title, she pursued her undergraduate degree at Southeast Missouri State University and later earned her graduate degree there as well. Debbie held many occupations throughout her life, including real estate, teaching, sales, social work, and administrative positions in care facilities. Above all, she was a loving and caring mother to her children, stepchildren, and many of their friends throughout her life.

Debbie was an incredibly talented and self-taught artist. Many of her creations hang on the walls of her loved ones' homes. The art studio at her home was one of the great pleasures during her later years after retiring. Many leisurely hours were spent creating beautiful paintings, teaching her grandchildren how to paint, and sharing her love of art with family and friends. Many of her final paintings were inspired by ocean landscapes, another of her great loves, and where her husband Larry took her on vacation every year in Destin, Florida.

On September 14, 2006, she was united in marriage to Larry Kern in Destin, Florida. Mr. Kern survives in their home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Along with her husband, she is survived by her son, James Ringer, and wife, Desirae, of Corpus Christi, Texas; by her daughter, Lora Cecil, and husband, Joe, of Dexter, Missouri; by her stepdaughter from her previous marriage, Lisa Ringer, of Los Angeles, California; by two step-sons, Kenneth Kern and wife Jamie of Dunedin, Florida and Richard Kern of Scott City, Missouri; by her sister Kim Shambo of Scott City, Missouri; by four grandchildren, Kristin Bailey, Taylor Cecil, Harrison Ringer, and Cassius Collins; and by her great-granddaughter, Kassidy Bailey.

Other than by her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, James Calhoun Jr., and by her sister, Marsha Dohogne.