Classmates,
I have been asked to share with you the sad news that Mark Broome’s wife (21st Co.), Debbie Broome, passed away suddenly Friday, 10 March. Debbie went to the hospital Thursday morning and had emergency surgery for sepsis. She never stabilized and passed away Friday. This has been a real shock to Mark, his family and friends. Mark and Debbie’s 3 children were able to be at her side before she passed. Memorial service was held Monday, March 13, with interment in Gladewater, Texas, on Tuesday. Please keep our classmate, Mark, and his family in you thoughts and prayers.
Fair winds…
Glen
Glen Woods
President, USNA Class of 1978
DEBORAH JANE “DEBBIE” BROOME
June 9, 1955 – March 10, 2023
Deborah Jane Wilson Broome passed away unexpectedly on March 10, 2023, in Beaumont, Texas, surrounded by her loved ones.
She was born in Houston, Texas, on June 9, 1955, to Truman and Peggy Wilson. She attended Pine Tree High School in Longview, Texas, graduating in 1973 and then attended Sam Houston State University where she received a degree in Criminal Justice. After graduation, she worked for the Gregg County Juvenile Probation Office.
She married Mark Broome in June of 1978, and started the first of her careers- that of a Navy Wife, in which Debbie took great pride. With Mark often at sea or deployed, she moved the growing family to Naval Air Station (NAS) Moffett Field, California; NAS Pensacola, Florida; NAS Whiting Field Florida; Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island; and her favorite- Naval Base Charleston, South Carolina. When Mark entered the Federal Bureau of Investigation, she continued doing the heavy lifting- to Tampa and Sarasota, Florida, Corpus Christi, Texas, the wheat fields of Garden City, Kansas; and finally back home to Texas in Beaumont. In the course of their 44 years of marriage they raised four children and moved 14 times before settling down in Lumberton, Texas, in 1995.
After devoting many years to raising her children at home, she went back to school to become a teacher. She began her teaching career at Ozen High School in Beaumont, Texas, where she also coached the boys and girls soccer teams. She continued her teaching career with Beaumont ISD until 2019 when she retired to spend more time with her beloved grandchildren. Debbie was a member of the Dowlen Road Church of Christ.
Debbie was known for her great love of dogs, especially beagles. She enjoyed reading, especially historical nonfiction books, as well as studying her family’s genealogy. She also enjoyed playing word games like Scrabble in which she always dominated her opponent.
She is survived by her husband Mark Broome; her children, Julie Gobert (husband Eric) of Round Rock, Texas; Laurie Kerns of Lumberton, Texas; and Maj. Scott Broome, USA, of Honolulu, Hawaii, and by “Mimi’s Garden” her grandchildren, Hallie Browning, Jack Gobert, Isaac Adams, Benjamin Gobert, Clarabel Gobert, and Lilah Kerns. She will be greatly missed by her family as well as her two lifelong friends, Shelley Love and Becky Glaze.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Roy Steven Wilson; and her youngest daughter, Lesley Jayne Broome.
Debbie was the North Star for the Broome family and a tough lady. She rests at peace in God’s loving arms.
A gathering of Mrs. Broome’s family and friends will begin at 3:00 p.m., with her funeral service to follow at 4:00 p.m., Monday, March 13, 2023, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A graveside service will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at Rosedale Cemetery, Armstrong Street, Gladewater.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Southeast Texas, 2050 Spindletop Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77705.
Fair winds…
Glen
Glen Woods
President, USNA Class of 1978