Deborah Blackbear

Deborah Kaye Blackbear was born on May 8, 1955, to Lillie Mae Bird and Raymond Lambert Blackbear in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. She was the fourth child born of six children. Her two oldest sisters, Rebecca and Dolly sue, mother and father preceded her in death.

Deborah grew up in Northeast and Southwest Oklahoma. She graduated from high school in 1974 from Fort Sill Indian School in Lawton, Oklahoma. Deb furthered her education at Southwestern State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma, later going to Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) in Albuquerque, New Mexico where she received an Associate degree, and then went on to finish her education at Haskell Indian University in Lawrence, Kansas, before becoming an Optician. Deborah's employment history was with W.W. Hastings in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Federal Building in Oklahoma City, then moving to the State of Washington where she worked for an Indian Hospital as an Optician and finally Salem, Oregon where she retired after more than 25 years.

Deborah fell in love with the love of her life, Perry Hawkins in the early 1980's. They married in 1982. They became the proud parents of two sons: Christopher Hawkins and Micheal Hawkins. They moved to the State of Washington in the early 1990's and then to Portland, Oregon where they raised their sons. Deborah became ill and decided to return back to Oklahoma in 2011 to be by her sisters. Upon returning, her youngest son Micheal became very ill, he was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 2014. Deborah's health began to become more critical in the last 2 years of her life. She received her heavenly wings on January 27, 2020 at 5:00 a.m.

Deborah was preceded in death by her stepfather Charles Leonard Eads, her maternal and paternal grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and her son Micheal. She leaves to cherish her memory her oldest son, Christopher Hawkins of Portland, Oregon; Perry Hawkins of Oklahoma; sister Sharon (Lonnie) Altom; her brother David Eads; sister Anna B. Eads; a host of many cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Deborah's cherished memories will remain in our hearts forever. Rest well Sister, WE LOVE YOU AND WILL MISS YOU!