Debbie had resided in Lyons for the past eight years and was formerly of Rayville. She graduated from Rayville High School with the Class of 1975 and received her bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Louisiana College in 1979. In 1981, she received her master’s degree in neuroscience from LSU School of Medicine and her Ph.D. in biological sciences from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2017.

Debbie taught homeschool and high school and retired from Sterling College as a professor of neuroscience and human anatomy. She was also a licensed medical technologist. She was a member of the Society of Neuroscience and the Kansas Society of Science and attended Kings Cross Church in Lyons. Debbie enjoyed reading, teaching, sewing and gardening. On Aug. 1, 1981, Debbie married Dr. Charles Gilbert Rogers Jr. in Rayville.

Survivors include her husband, Dr. Charles G. Rogers Jr. of Lyons, Kan.; six children, Dr. Charles Zimbrick-Rogers III and wife Rev. Emily of Philadelphia, Pa., Jonathan Rogers and wife Hannah of Lyons, Kan., Deborah Hurst of Edmond, Okla., Steven Rogers and wife Ariana of Bentley, La., Mary Rogers of Philadelphia, Pa., and Jennifer Rogers of Rice County, Kan.; 10 grandchildren, Louisa, Hannah, Rose, Sharon, Josefina, Douglas, Gwen, Eleanor, Remi and Sam; and cousin, Billy Joe Watkins II and wife Jennifer of Maine.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Donna Watkins and Brent Watkins.

Memorials may be made to Sterling College for the Department of Natural Sciences in care of Birzer Funeral Home in Lyons.