Residents ’ Review
July 2021
Volume 34 , Issue 7
Citizens Memorial Healthcare Facility is an affiliate of CMH , Bolivar , Mo ., 417-326-6000 Facility Location : 1218 W . Locust St ., Bolivar , MO 65613 , 417-326-7648
D e b o r a T a n n e r R e s i d e n t o f t h e M o n t h
Debora Tanner was born Aug . 14 , 1958 , in Pine Bluff , Arkansas to Raymond and Ruby Bunton . Debora ’ s father is an Apache Native American who spent many years as a diesel mechanic and a truck driver . Her mother , was a Comanche Native American and Irish , and was a seamstress . When Debora was born her grandfather gave her the Native American name of Deer Eyes because her eyes were so dark brown that they were almost black . He thought her eyes were beautiful like a deer .
Debora was the oldest of her two siblings , Ricky and Craig who have both passed away . Debora was always very close to her mother and called her the love of her life . Her mother made all of her clothes while she was growing up because Debora was so short and small . They shared many fun memories together over the years until her death from brain tumors in 2014 . Debora and her father have a strong bond as well . They buy and fix up old cars and show them . They spent numerous hours re-building her dream car which is a 1948 Plymouth Coupe .
She graduated high school in Grand Prairie , Texas . Debora married at age 14 while still in school to an Apache Native American who was 20 years her senior . The couple were married for 25 years until he passed away . To this union , their three children , Michael , Stacy and Matt were born . They are the highlight of her life . Their family had a lot of fun traveling the United States in their travel trailer in the summers . She recalls trips to Colorado , Oregon , and Mount Rushmore . The family typically traveled North in the summers to get away from the heat ; however , one February they decided to go to Hibbing , Minnesota . She recalled the freezing temperatures while there . One night a snow storm came through the area and the plow trucks were unable to get to them . They attempted to open the door on the trailer to get out and it was frozen shut , so they stayed inside and ate TV dinners and played board and card games until it thawed .
Debora spent time throughout the years working in a clothing warehouse and Toys R Us . When she wasn ’ t working she was keeping up with her kids , then her five grandchildren and now two great-grandchildren of whom she is very proud .
In 1974 , her husband bought her a brand new Harley Davidson motorcycle while they were living in Arizona . After he passed away she got on her bike with a bed roll , a 45 caliber pistol , a knife and a couple of sets of clothing and headed on the long trek to Texas by herself so she could be with her family . She said that was a very memorable and tiring trip , but she was glad to be able to do it by herself .
Over the years , she had a lot of hobbies including racing cars , attending car races , helping her father build antique cars , horseback and motorcycle riding , attending concerts and doing practically anything outside . She also took dance lessons beginning at age four . She learned how to ballet , tap and salsa dance and competed in numerous competitions . When she started high school , she had to quit dancing so she could run track . She wasn ’ t the typical track competitor because she ran barefoot . She had to get permission to do this from the athletic administration . When asked why she preferred to run barefoot , she said , “ It made me run 10 seconds faster .” She said she only lost one race .
Debora joined our CMHCF family in April 2020 . When asked what she likes about living at CMHCF , she said the staff is always very friendly and helpful and it is a nice place to live .
Congratulations , Debora on being chosen as our resident of the month .
Are you a caring individual who would like to assist in caring for the elderly ?
Citizens Memorial Healthcare Facility has opportunities in its volunteer and nursing program . For more information call Sarah Crosswhite , administrator , at 417-326-7648 .