|
|
Blessed 
   
Location: Here | Do you remember that fateful day during Katrina where we all came together and prayed for a miracle for one of our own to be rescued by helicopter? And Dave/Gail/bhw got it done?
Debbie Littleton passed away today at age 47 found after she had just feed her horses of an apparent heart attack. Please lift her family and friends up in prayer. She touched the life of so many of us with her heelers by her side in that helicopter that day.
So fly high Debbie you will never be forgotten |
|
| |
|
 A Barrel Of Monkeys
Posts: 12972
Location: Texas | Oh Noooooo. Yes, I remember.
Rest in Peace, Debbie. |
|
| |
|
Blessed
Location: Here | Fun2Run - 2014-07-26 8:55 PM Oh Noooooo. Yes, I remember.
Rest in Peace, Debbie.
Sure took me back to where. i was standing in the grocery store when I got word the helicopter was on its way
Sometimes life gets cut short. So remember it is in God's time |
|
| |
|
  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | oh wow I remember that to my heart is heavy for her family today .. prayers |
|
| |
|
 Semper Fi
Location: North Texas | Oh Man! Shaking my head. I am so sorry to hear of this!
|
|
| |
|
 You just got to get mean and mean it.
Location: Arkansas | I reminder that well. And she wouldn't leave her dog's behind. So sorry she is gone |
|
| |
|
 Bling Queen
Posts: 8861
Location: No Clue | Thank You my dear friend Julie!!! I'm still in shock....just can not wrap my lil brain around it. She was such a fun loving, caring person....she will for sure be missed!!! |
|
| |
|
 Living on the edge of common sense
Posts: 24138
Location: Carpenter, WY | I remember that like it was yesterday |
|
| |
|
Blessed
Location: Here | spiff07 - 2014-07-26 9:02 PM Thank You my dear friend Julie!!! I'm still in shock....just can not wrap my lil brain around it. She was such a fun loving, caring person....she will for sure be missed!!!
You are very welcome. We need a reunion |
|
| |
|
Blessed
Location: Here | http://www.barrelhorseworld.com/contribute/topstories/
Debbie Littleton, a.k.a. lilcashseeker, joined our bulletin board community in October of 2003. One of her last posts was the night before Katrina hit shore. Debbie was worried. She stayed behind with her 75 year old father who refused to leave - along with her two Australian Cattle Dogs. In her posts she expressed how she would "never do this again" as the winds howled outside and rocked her home.
Her mother and sister got out earlier - but Dad refused to go. Debbie stayed with him. She typed on the board "please pray for us". We did. And we were riveted to her posts at the same moment the nation's news was reporting the storm - we had live commentary coming from our board.
Monday morning Debbie was clearly shaken as Katrina came ashore. The ceiling was moving. It was awful. She typed the following.
lilcashseeker
Hurricane Survivor
Posts: 575
(68.212.103.81)
Joined: 2003-10-16
Location: Down the bayou in South Louisiana
User Profile
Subject : RE: sitting in the middle of Katrina
Posted : 2005-08-29 9:49 AM
Post #688311 - In reply to #688209
Thanks for the prayers.. I am just hoping the levy by the barn holds... I am so worried about the water in the barn and snakes.. that I cant sleep. No one can get down where the barn is so they are all on their own for now.. And I feel terrible about it... I have never not evacuated. I usually only have as many horses as I have trailers to haul them in.. but this one caught me by suprise... 14 is not easy to move in less than 24 hours and the contraflow plan they have down here... If I would have moved some we would have had to pick the ones to take.. I cannot justify that... but when this is all over if all goes well... I am going to go by a dully and a 4-6 horse trailer. I will keep the truck & 2 horse I have but I will be prepared for the next time.. I may be poor but everyone will be safe...keep the pray chain going... I'll check back soon.. I am going to go up in the attic and check the roof again and take a look out all the windows to see how the tree situation is.. see yall later I hope...
-----
Barrel Racer, Cowboy Chaser...
I prefer my horses with a wide rear! that way mine always looks smaller when I am riding.
And then we heard nothing from her - for hours - then days. And her last words haunted us. "See y'all later I hope" . . .
Monday turned to Wednesday night. No one had returned to her last thread since the day of her last message on Monday. Everyone feared the worse and the news reports seemed to hold no promise.
But Debbie was alive and no one knew it. She had survived the storm with her father and two dogs and Wednesday night she managed to get enough cell charge on her cell phone to reach her mother. Her mother had spent days trying to get someone to rescue her - calling helicopter rentals was her first thought. The phones were either down or the companies were not available. Debbie told her mom how to get on the website Barrel Horse World and that "they would know what to do."
Her mom relayed this information to her other daughter Lisa who was much more at ease with getting on the internet. Not knowing exactly what a "Barrel Horse World" was, they began to read the posts. Another thread was posted in hopes of getting more information on the missing people - and suddenly during the night the following thread appeared:
lilcashseeker
Hurricane Survivor
Posts: 575
(65.64.24.37)
Joined: 2003-10-16
Location: Down the bayou in South Louisiana
User Profile
Subject : RE: Check in HERE if you were in the storm.
Posted : 2005-09-01 3:07 AM
Post #693623 - In reply to #690136
This is LilCashSeeker's sister - she is still in New orleans - but we have talked with her and my dad and both are ok. They have supplies and are armed and we are working to get them out - thank you for all of your thoughts she asked me to logon under her name and let all know that she - dingo and coon are ok - my dad is too! mailto:LLittleton@jobscenter.com - Thanks - Lisa
-----
Barrel Racer, Cowboy Chaser...
I prefer my horses with a wide rear! that way mine always looks smaller when I am riding.
The word spread quickly. Debbie had survived. Now what?
After surviving the horrific winds Debbie and her father emerged to a changed world. The rain had left water everywhere, but even after it stopped raining, the water kept rising. Soon they were surrounded on an area about a mile long and half a mile wide in Lake Vista Park, a northern suburb of New Orleans. Father and daughter had enough time and foresight to prepare a couple of days worth of food and clean water.
But there were a few more surprises that made their continued stay in this area more challenging than they could have ever expected.
With so much water, thousands of snakes and other vermin had migrated to the dry piece of land to fight for their own existence. They were everywhere and continued to come on land as the flood waters continued to rise. This was nothing compared to what was coming next.
By Friday, when waters began to recede a bit, new vermin was making it's way to the more affluent suburbs.
Humans.
They were emerging from the inner city, people who found no problem stealing anything they could find at gunpoint and killing and raping as they went. After surviving the storm . . . and letting her family and Barrel Horse World friends know she was ok early Thursday morning, things began to deteriorate quickly.
Gunshots could be heard for the first time Friday night and Debbie woke up Saturday from another sleepless night knowing her safety, even her life, demanded some quick action. With limited communication (intermittent Nextel - walkie-talkie mode) or text messaging, even these varied with the crowded airwaves traffic and changing atmosphere. Her mother in a hotel in Little Rock held the other end of the world for her. Debbie sent a message Saturday morning. H-E-L-P M-E.
Several of us back at Barrel Horse World were also watching, and wondering what could be done. My wife had been working the phones tirelessly for two days, trying to make connections with police, helicopters, friends with boats, anything. Others on the board were contacting their friends in the area. We were all posting "HELP" on the boards for someone to see Debbie's predicament
.
See the red star.
Some hope would rise - then quickly die, and time was getting critical. After Debbie's mother relayed her daughter's Saturday morning plea for help to Gail, my wife said to me "we have to do something now".
I looked at the map and wondered how I could fly to Baton Rouge and once there, rent a truck and boat and buy a shotgun. And I wondered aloud who would be crazy enough to go with me, when yet another barrel racing board buddy came to our rescue at that moment from Utah. It was Ruggedchicca, Shauna, and as a police officer, she worked scheduling aircraft for emergencies and sent us a list of 13 companies that worked with law enforcement and FEMA during emergencies.
There were two listed from Louisiana. I picked up the phone about 3:40 CST on Saturday afternoon.
The first company did not answer their phone. I dialed the second, a company called Southern Helicopters in Sunshine, LA. Andy answered and I talked. He said he'd put us on a list. I found out later the list was five pages long. The looters were a lot closer than that to Debbie.
"What would it cost"? I asked Andy.
Andy said it was the same as before the disaster. I recall saying "I'll pay more if I have to with these circumstances", and at this point I don't recall exactly what occurred. Andy said I should probably discuss this with the owner Benjie and I was soon repeating my plea. I don't suspect I was any more eloquent than the other requests on the waiting list of five pages.
But Benjie replied "We have a Twinstar ready to go with a pilot" and asked me to get the address and turned his phone back to Andy.
I gave my credit card number to Andy and we started to talk addresses and flight times.
( Later, my wife asked Benjie why he so quickly decided to did this for us. Benjie replied simply, "I don't know. It was a God thing". When Gail told me later what he said, I immediately thought of the prayers that were promised us from the board. And I found it hard to speak for a moment. )
But there were still major challenges before us. The first was putting the helicopter in the right place. We had an address of her home and a neighboring Catholic Church and the crew did a quick mapquest on computer and took the printout with them.
Ten minutes into the forty minute flight I was thinking about what could go wrong. I knew the pilot could use the map to follow land masses from Baton Rouge to the north side of New Orleans, but once there, he would be looking out of the cockpit into a landscape where addresses wouldn't be posted and storm damage could obscure. I needed an aerial photograph and I "googled" a satellite photo and got lucky.
I kept a phone line open to Debbies mother in the Day's Inn at Little Rock, Arkansas. I looked at the aerial photo and she described the neighborhood and her conversations with Debbie. On another phone I called Andy back at the helicopter office in Baton Rouge and he googled the same map I was looking at from my computer in Olathe, Kansas.
.
Find the only house with a pool in the backyard (just north of the round white Methodist Church roof), and you'll see a parking lot just to the east of it. This is where we chose to land the chopper to meet Debbie . . . luckily it was not filled with
debris . . and the house where Debbie and her dad were . . was just four houses to the west
Debbie's mother (Linda), said, "do you see the roof that is round like a sailor's compass"? That's the Catholic Church. You can land there. Debbie's house is just north of there. I looked at the aerial. The round roof was visible to me, but there was another roof that wasn't round 100 yards to the west, and it kind of looked like a sailor's compass. Sailor's compass? Round roof? I was confused. Which one was it?
The clock was clicking.
It was a forty minute flight and half was gone. We were still trying to gain agreement on what the pilot would be looking for when he got there. Then Gail handed me the phone. It was Lisa, Debbie's sister on yet another phone line. After some questioning, I determined Debbie was north of the round white roof, (alias the Methodist Church) and it's parking lot was four houses from Debbie, but I had new problems.
Andy said the pilot was over a golf course.
I remembered looking at an earlier satellite picture with a larger view and seemed to recall seeing a golf course. The Google aerial view, when adjusted for a larger image, picked up the golf course and we could quickly see they were about a mile south. I grabbed the phone to Debbie's sister, Lisa and she confirmed it.
Andy managed to get the pilot, Steve, back on the radio and the chopper headed north. I picked up the phone I was using for Debbie's mom, sitting in Little Rock.
"Linda? Are you sure Debbie knows we are coming?" I asked.
"No." She replied.
She had said earlier that she had called Debbie. It was a misunderstanding, apparently. Linda had in fact called her daughter earlier, in fact several times, but she hadn't gotten through. I told her to keep trying - NOW. We had a chopper within two minutes of the location, and Debbie didn't know it yet. Gail handed me another phone. "It's her sister, Lisa"
I took the phone and Lisa told me she just spoke with Debbie and she explained what we were trying to do. I quickly told her we were headed for the Methodist parking lot. Debbie's sister Lisa said it was too late, and she had left the house already.
"Where is she going?" I asked Lisa.
"She said she is making a run for the Methodist Church parking lot, and she's taking both her heelers. " Lisa replied.
We had gotten another break. . . . at this time I had no idea where Gail had gone . . . and later learned she was typing updates of this drama right on the bulletin board upstairs on her computer.
I spoke into my headset with Andy and told him to contact the helicopter. Andy found the Methodist parking lot on his satellite photo and he tried to radio the helicopter. But he couldn't get through. He needed to focus. He told me he'd call me back in a few minutes and there was nothing more we could do until he reached the chopper with the new location and a contact was hopefully made. I sat there for a moment, then grabbed my phone and went to be alone . . . I prayed - and told my kids to do the same. This was it.
The phone rang five or ten minutes later.
"Dave this is Andy, and I have Steve on the radio and they just landed and wanted to know how long they should" . . . and then Andy stopped and I could hear him talking in the background.
Andy got back on the phone and said Steve was talking to him from the helicopter, and they had found the parking lot, landed. They looked outside the chopper.
Steve suddenly radioed, " there is a woman and two dogs and a white male running toward us."
I told Andy, "THAT'S THEM . . . ."PICK THEM UP!" And Andy relied my message back to Steve on the radio.
Within a few minutes they were pulled aboard, heelers and all. I have yet to talk to Debbie about any of this, but I do know now that her father refused to board the helicopter and they had discussed it earlier. Either way, it must have been a tough moment.
Hopefully I will be able to hear Debbie's side of the week's ordeal sometime soon. She was exhausted tonight. I have yet to speak with her. I just want to hear her voice. And see her heelers some day.
This was not an everyday occurrence. Benjie's small helicopter company had been under FEMA contract to help with medical lifts. They had never attempted a rescue before! Their phone was ringing off the hook and they were under siege and continue to be. It was a miracle they took my call . . . and they knew the danger . . . and in fact, Steve Simpson the pilot, took the mechinic, Mike Stark along. Andy told me Mike was taking a gun with him.
A day after the rescue, I called Southern Helicopter and spoke to Andy. They had not done another rescue like ours since they dropped Debbie off. All their flights were standard medical evacuations. The Twinstar was a loaner they had just gotten. While they waited five minutes for me to make a decision, they received two more emergency airlift calls like ours. I tear up thinking back on the chain of events. I saw a number and dialed it around 3:40 p.m. and by 4:00 p.m. they were in the air flying by faith on my word toward Debbie's location.
Anything could have gone wrong. Everything went right. The pilot, Steve Simpson, was a friend who owned his own helicopter business in Pensicola, FL called Heliworks. He had just flown in to help with the disaster.
I remember the moment Andy and I were discussing the Methodist Church parking lot aerial photo and he said Steve was on his way . . . then I heard Debbie had left the house with the dogs and was running in that direction . . . I told Andy,
"This is quite the drama, I have never done anything like this."
Andy replied back, "We've never done anything like this either. We're pretty excited about getting her out of there."
There were too many "wows" to this story. Those of you who stopped to pray about Debbie Littleton, need to know. We felt it. It was uplifting. And her heelers got to stay with her. It was a good day.
www.southernhelicopters.com
Here's Debbie's dogs. I am not sure which is which.
Dingo
Coon
© Copyright 2002-2013 BarrelHorseWorld.com All rights reserved including digital rights
Support - Contact
|
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1384
Location: Kansas | So sad, 47 is way to young for a heart attack.
Prayers for her family and friends |
|
| |
|
 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | I'm in shock!
Sending prayers. |
|
| |
|
Bling Queen
Posts: 8861
Location: No Clue | We REALLY need a reunion....like at the Jud Little barrel race!!! Isn't that where Debbie came to pick up the horse that was donated to her? |
|
| |
|
 Fact Checker
Posts: 16572
Location: Displaced Iowegian | I remember those tense days......and only 47....so young.....prayers for her family and friends,,, |
|
| |
|
 Hugs to You
Posts: 7550
Location: In The Land of Cotton | She was my first Christmas exchange person. I was thinking about her the other day. She got me something in purple. Very sad . |
|
| |
|
 "Special"
Posts: 2364
Location: in the middle of backwoods iowa | Prayers for her family- I remember reading it happening on here and hoping for good news! |
|
| |
|
Blessed
Location: Here | spiff07 - 2014-07-26 9:15 PM We REALLY need a reunion....like at the Jud Little barrel race!!! Isn't that where Debbie came to pick up the horse that was donated to her?
Yes. i am still speechless
http://www.barrelhorseworld.com/contribute/topstories/katrina/helicopterjpg.jpg |
|
| |
|
Cold hands and Warm Heart
Location: oklahoma | I remember. I joined a little while afterwards, I believe. Remember her story vividly. So sorry to hear this |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 762
Location: NC | Prayers |
|
| |
|
 Expert of all Expert...
Location: Arizona | This story shows the power of prayer and of our BHW community. I'm not sure what it is now, but this is the pinnacle of what it was then. May Debbie rest is peace. |
|
| |
|
 Max is Back
Posts: 6795
Location: Flat Rock,IL | |
|
| |
|
 Roan On The Range
Posts: 7889
Location: Stephenville, TX | So heart breaking that she's gone! Sending many prayers
|
|
| |
|
Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | when there is a crisis .. bhw bonds together to help or cry or pray.. gail and dave went above and beyond those days to help her.. it was intense .. and so scarey.. |
|
| |
|
Blessed
Location: Here | roan critter - 2014-07-26 9:37 PM This story shows the power of prayer and of our BHW community. I'm not sure what it is now, but this is the pinnacle of what it was then. May Debbie rest is peace.
Agreed |
|
| |
|
 Bling Empress
Posts: 7404
Location: Not sure where! | Thank you everyone for the prayers for Debbie and her family.I sit here typing with a broken heart for my dear friend who was taken too soon and suddenly. She always talked about her rescue and that was something that she never forgot and neither did we!We hope to have answers in the next few days as to her exact cause of death. I just really would like to wake up and this just be a really bad dream! She may not have had a Huge circle of friends but the ones she did have she held close to and I was honored to be one of those.Again thank you all for the prayers |
|
| |
|
 Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | So many prayers to Debbie's family and friends. This is terrible news and so very sad;what a loss for our bhw family! |
|
| |
|
Blessed
Location: Here | Turnnburn64 - 2014-07-26 9:52 PM Thank you everyone for the prayers for Debbie and her family.I sit here typing with a broken heart for my dear friend who was taken too soon and suddenly. She always talked about her rescue and that was something that she never forgot and neither did we!We hope to have answers in the next few days as to her exact cause of death. I just really would like to wake up and this just be a really bad dream! She may not have had a Huge circle of friends but the ones she did have she held close to and I was honored to be one of those.Again thank you all for the prayers
Hugs and prayers |
|
| |
|
 Holy Macaroni!
Posts: 3957
Location: I am not FROM California I just live here! | I remember this....and what is so crazy about all of it is that I used to live in Baton Rouge and I never put it together until tonight when reading the story again.....Andy....I think was my friend.....I have not confirmed this but I sent his sister a messege on facebook tonight as it sounds so much like him...and I knew he was in the helicopter field prior to his death......because I think this Andy who was in this was my friend....again I am still trying to confirm this....but it sounds so much like him and I never put it together until this day......wow....like I said waiting for confirmation....but if that Andy was my friend who I am thinking......he too has passed.......... |
|
| |
|
 Cinnamon Honey One
Posts: 6549
Location: between here and there | How very sad. Prayers for her family and friends. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2041
Location: home for the winter...what a dumb idea | So sad I remember all of it. Prayers for her family |
|
| |
|
 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 4121
Location: SE Louisiana | I do remember that event.... Obviously God needed another caretaker for the horses up there... I can't think of anyone better qualified just now.. |
|
| |
|
I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | The rescue did seem like just yesterday. I'm in shock. So sad...Prayers... |
|
| |
|
 Life Saver
Posts: 10477
Location: MT | How very sad. Many prayers for her family and loved ones. 47 is much to soon to go, she was so strong and dealt with so much.
What happened that day was an amazing God thing.
I still have the photo of Debbie, her dogs and the Twinstar up at work. I was on a fire assignment in Montana at the time, working as a lead aviation dispatcher for wildland fires. It just so happened that we were slow that day and I couldn't bear to tear myself away from BHW. I'm sure all of us who were on here had never hit the refresh button so many times ever before!
It was nothing short of amazing...the way everyone banded together and made an incredible thing happen that day. Dave and Gail are truly the best.
Edited by ruggedchica 2014-07-26 10:43 PM
|
|
| |
|
Life Saver
Posts: 10477
Location: MT | Turnnburn64 - 2014-07-26 8:52 PM Thank you everyone for the prayers for Debbie and her family.I sit here typing with a broken heart for my dear friend who was taken too soon and suddenly. She always talked about her rescue and that was something that she never forgot and neither did we!We hope to have answers in the next few days as to her exact cause of death. I just really would like to wake up and this just be a really bad dream! She may not have had a Huge circle of friends but the ones she did have she held close to and I was honored to be one of those.Again thank you all for the prayers
Sending lots of love and hugs.
|
|
| |
|
 No Fear
Posts: 5089
Location: TN | I am so sorry. Many prayers. This is heartbreaking. |
|
| |
|
One Special Mom
Posts: 2205
Location: Mesa WA, USA | I remember this so well and the whole tense situation for all of us. I also was thinking of Debbie just within the last week when all the weather was going on here in the NW and the Wild Fires. So sorry to hear that she has passed. I think of how that all came about and how Dave and Gail got a hold of the helicopter and I was amazed and wanted to be just like them and be able to step up and help others as easy as the people on BHW. God Bless us one and all.
Edited by prov35 2014-07-26 11:38 PM
|
|
| |
|
 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Oh no, this is so sad to read. I remember when that was going on, I was not a member yet, just loved reading the threads on here, all the BHW people were so giving during this time. I love this place for all the good people on here always ready and willing to help out a BB.
Many many prayers for Debbie's family and friends gone so soon and so young.
Edited by Southtxponygirl 2014-07-26 11:40 PM
|
|
| |
|
I'm a Cry Baby
Posts: 3780
Location: n.c. | Remember it very well. Many prayers to the family. I am so sorry to hear this.
This story is what cemented my personal relationship with BHW. And even now,
when someone is in dire need of prayers and uplifting, everyone puts aside personal
feelings and gets the deed done.
|
|
| |
|
 Mississippi Queen
Posts: 11072
Location: hangin at the end of my rope | Oh I'm so saddened to hear this! Deb was definitely one of a kind, she had such a beautiful smile and wonderful laugh. She was so terrified after Hurricane Katrina, she and her mom loaded up with 7 dogs, 5 horses and came to our place and stayed during the next hurricane that threatened them, I think it was 07 or 08. We rode out the storm and watched all the newscasts and weather channels here. We had a great time visiting and catching up. Deb and I talked often after that, knowing she could always retreat here if another storm threatened them. Rest in paradise my beautiful friend. God must have has a special plan for you. You will forever be missed Deb.
Lisa |
|
| |
|
 Voice of Reason
Location: NOT at Wal Mart | I remember it well. Just one more reason to live life to the fullest, we are not guaranteed one minute. Prayers for her family and friends. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 5321
Location: Texas | I remember it well. It is one of the reasons I love BHW. This is so sad to hear. RIP Debbie, you will be missed |
|
| |
|
 Wounded in Action
Posts: 4431
Location: LOUISIANA | RIP Deb. |
|
| |
|
 Never miss a good chance to shut up.
Posts: 3317
| 
I'm overwhelmed with saddness about Debbie's passing. Thanks Julie for finding and posting that narrative. It certainly brought back alot of memories.
Here's a link I found with more pictures. I hope it works for everyone.
https://web.archive.org/web/20060614192553/http://www.barrelhorseworld.com/contribute/topstories/katrina/katrina.asp
This board is special because it's a reflection of a community of care givers bonded by their love of horses and barrel racing. BHW was just an easier way for everyone to meet - and bond together. Some of the drama has (thankfully) gone to FaceBook but the board still serves like a quiet posse of caregivers. Many stories like this have happened behind the scenes, and still continue - through the power of prayer from so many of you. We want to keep it this way.
God's blessings and prayers and peace to Debbies family. This was an important story. In so many ways. We will miss you Debbie. Jesus has you now. It's hard to keep a dry eye remembering this event. It was truly an amazing story where we were all a first hand witness to God's hand touching lives.
|
|
| |
|
Location: South Dakota | DaveM - 2014-07-27 9:33 AM
I'm overwhelmed with saddness about Debbie's passing. Julie Crews called last night to tell us. Thanks Julie for finding and posting that narrative. It certainly brought back alot of memories.
Here's a link I found with more pictures. I hope it works for everyone.
https://web.archive.org/web/20060614192553/http://www.barrelhorsewor...
This board is special because it's a reflection of a community of care givers bonded by their love of horses and barrel racing. BHW was just an easier way for everyone to meet - and bond together. Some of the drama has (thankfully) gone to FaceBook but the board still serves like a quiet posse of caregivers. Many stories like this have happened behind the scenes, and still continue - through the power of prayer from so many of you. We want to keep it this way.
God's blessings and prayers and peace to Debbies family. This was an important story. In so many ways. We will miss you Debbie. Jesus has you now. It's hard to keep a dry eye remembering this event. It was truly an amazing story where I was a first hand witness to God's hand touching lives.
Rest in peace sweet Debbie......prayers for all her loved ones left behind... |
|
| |
|
Queen Bean of Ponyland
Posts: 24952
Location: WYOMING | I remember.
RIP Deb. |
|
| |
|
 More Famous than Dr Phil
| Rest in peace |
|
| |
|
 Banjo and Baby
Posts: 7259
Location: South of Canada and North of Mexico | So sad! Way to young! Prayers |
|
| |
|
 "Mom"
| Thank you for posting and informing us of Debbie's passing SG.
I am at a loss for words. Her untimely death has touched me deeply. Prayers for her friend and family....she was a huge part of BHW history. We won't forget her.
|
|
| |
|
 More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | |
|
| |
|
Blessed
Location: Here | Gail - 2014-07-27 12:30 PM Thank you for posting and informing us of Debbie's passing SG.
I am at a loss for words. Her untimely death has touched me deeply. Prayers for her friend and family....she was a huge part of BHW history. We won't forget her.
I hope she is looking down from heaven knowing that she had so many people that cared about her and still do |
|
| |
|
A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | SG. - 2014-07-27 3:06 PM Gail - 2014-07-27 12:30 PM Thank you for posting and informing us of Debbie's passing SG.
I am at a loss for words. Her untimely death has touched me deeply. Prayers for her friend and family....she was a huge part of BHW history. We won't forget her.
I hope she is looking down from heaven knowing that she had so many people that cared about her and still do
Amen |
|
| |
|
 Queen Boobie mascot
Posts: 706
Location: Mayerthorpe Alberta | RIP Debbie.
there is a bond here on BHW that will never be broken. We truly are like a family. We have our trials and tribulations and we always pulls together for each other when needed.
Life is too short to hold grudges and we need to put our differences aside and live life to the fullest.
|
|
| |
|
Holy Macaroni!
Posts: 3957
Location: I am not FROM California I just live here! | chasin3 - 2014-07-26 8:01 PM I remember this....and what is so crazy about all of it is that I used to live in Baton Rouge and I never put it together until tonight when reading the story again.....Andy....I think was my friend.....I have not confirmed this but I sent his sister a messege on facebook tonight as it sounds so much like him...and I knew he was in the helicopter field prior to his death......because I think this Andy who was in this was my friend....again I am still trying to confirm this....but it sounds so much like him and I never put it together until this day......wow....like I said waiting for confirmation....but if that Andy was my friend who I am thinking......he too has passed.......... It was confirmed for me today my friend Andy was the one....he too has passed I sent this thread to his sister last night she was going to forward it to Benji.....I can't believe I didn't put it together all this time....that it was him helping someone off of BHW someone I knew.....Andy has passed as well.....Hope they both meet up together.....he was one of the last people I hugged when I left that miserable part of my life..........
Edited by chasin3 2014-07-27 8:47 PM
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 4121
Location: SE Louisiana | Well.... Now we have a personal representative to take care of the mustang filly we all adopted.. ( I can't quite remember her name) if she can tear herself away from Big Red... |
|
| |
|
Blessed
Location: Here | chasin3 - 2014-07-27 8:44 PM chasin3 - 2014-07-26 8:01 PM I remember this....and what is so crazy about all of it is that I used to live in Baton Rouge and I never put it together until tonight when reading the story again.....Andy....I think was my friend.....I have not confirmed this but I sent his sister a messege on facebook tonight as it sounds so much like him...and I knew he was in the helicopter field prior to his death......because I think this Andy who was in this was my friend....again I am still trying to confirm this....but it sounds so much like him and I never put it together until this day......wow....like I said waiting for confirmation....but if that Andy was my friend who I am thinking......he too has passed.......... It was confirmed for me today my friend Andy was the one....he too has passed I sent this thread to his sister last night she was going to forward it to Benji.....I can't believe I didn't put it together all this time....that it was him helping someone off of BHW someone I knew.....Andy has passed as well.....Hope they both meet up together.....he was one of the last people I hugged when I left that miserable part of my life..........
Oh my |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2154
Location: USA | Oh, this made me tear up! I remember the story. I was fairly new to the boards and the story had me on BHW constantly looking for updates and praying for this woman I did not know. RIP Debbie! |
|
| |
|
 Popped
Posts: 20421
Location: LuluLand~along I64 Indiana | the Katrina time was about the time i got real interested in BHW..... the heart of the boards is why I have stayed. RIP Debbie... and may you be met at the gates with the words... well done good and faithful servent... welcome home. |
|
| |
|
 Desert Diva
Posts: 4946
Location: The birthplace of Honest Abe | komet. - 2014-07-27 9:29 PM Well.... Now we have a personal representative to take care of the mustang filly we all adopted.. ( I can't quite remember her name) if she can tear herself away from Big Red...
Are you talking about Sage?
Prayers for all involved, I remember the story well, we were all locked into BHW following the story as it unfolded. |
|
| |
|
Blessed
Location: Here | luluwhit - 2014-07-28 10:01 AM the Katrina time was about the time i got real interested in BHW..... the heart of the boards is why I have stayed. RIP Debbie... and may you be met at the gates with the words... well done good and faithful servent... welcome home.
AMEN |
|
| |
|
 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | RIP. God's plans are always bigger, better and grander then our own. Debbie will never be forgotten.
Edited to ask, who shall do the honors of adding Debbie to our memorial sticky?
Edited by ~BINGO~ 2014-07-28 11:00 AM
|
|
| |
|
 Looking for Lady Jockey
Posts: 3747
Location: Rodeos or Baseball games | This is si sad. Sending prayers to Debbie's family. |
|
| |
|
 Roan Wonder
Location: SW MO | |
|
| |
|
Blessed
Location: Here | ~BINGO~ - 2014-07-28 10:58 AM RIP. God's plans are always bigger, better and grander then our own. Debbie will never be forgotten.
Edited to ask, who shall do the honors of adding Debbie to our memorial sticky?
You can.... I don't have the heart to right now |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | I remember the whole thing... I cried with joy when I heard the news of the Helicopter... Rest in Peace Debbie... I didn't know you personally, but I remember.
What a wonderful Testimony for my BHW Family to share about that day when we all prayed and pulled together for someone some of us have never even met...
Makes my Faith in Humanity a little bit bigger. |
|
| |
|
 Water Weight Barbie
Posts: 6829
Location: Oz, Kansas | Many prayers to her family. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | RIP |
|
| |
|
Regular
Posts: 95
Location: mineral springs, ar | Rip Debbie. That kept me glued to the computer all day. It got me posting more, which I need to be on this board more often. My husband & I got to meet Debbie in Ardmore that year at the race. Rest with the angels, sweet lady.Margie |
|
| |
|
 Angel in a Sorrel Coat
Posts: 16030
Location: In a happy place | This is so sad Debbie was so young. Prayers for Debbie's friends and family. |
|
| |
|
 Pork Fat is my Favorite
Posts: 3791
Location: The Oklahoma plains. | RIP. I didnt know her nor do I remember the story but thanks for sharing it and the pics. These are the days that I am proud to watch the love and caring on BHW. |
|
| |
|
 Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11493
Location: 31 lengths farms | IRunOnFaith - 2014-07-29 9:58 AM
I remember the whole thing... I cried with joy when I heard the news of the Helicopter... Rest in Peace Debbie... I didn't know you personally, but I remember.
What a wonderful Testimony for my BHW Family to share about that day when we all prayed and pulled together for someone some of us have never even met... Makes my Faith in Humanity a little bit bigger.
^^^^This!!! cried again the other day recounting that day to my fiancé. That moment showed what the best of this place can be and Debbie showed how being unselfish in the face of an Epic storm can bring others together. |
|
| |
|
Bling Empress
Posts: 7404
Location: Not sure where! | Just want to update everyone on Debbie...The initial autopsy did not reveal a conclusive cause of death so we are awaiting toxicology results as of now.Here are the details for her Memorial Service www.GreenwoodFuneralHome.net |
|
| |
|
Blessed
Location: Here | Turnnburn64 - 2014-08-04 6:44 PM Just want to update everyone on Debbie...The initial autopsy did not reveal a conclusive cause of death so we are awaiting toxicology results as of now.Here are the details for her Memorial Service www.GreenwoodFuneralHome.net
|
|
| |
|
Blessed
Location: Here | Memorial page set up by her sister
https://www.facebook.com/events/415144318628035/ |
|
| |
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 369
| I seem to remember that she went to her barn as soon as the law would allow and found they had all drowned in their stalls. She was devastated over that. I may be thinking about another story, IDK. Rest in Peace Debbie. |
|
| |
|
Blessed
Location: Here | CheyTooBuck - 2014-08-05 6:05 AM I seem to remember that she went to her barn as soon as the law would allow and found they had all drowned in their stalls. She was devastated over that. I may be thinking about another story, IDK. Rest in Peace Debbie.
Yes that is correct She was an incredibly strong and brave woman She will forever be with me in my heart |
|
| |
Do you remember