Debra A. Cook-Tibbs, 70, passed away on January 28, 2026, at 2:25 p.m. at Kindred Hospital Lima, surrounded by her loving family.
Debra was born on March 27, 1955, in Lima, Ohio, to Johnny M. and Charlie Mae Ward-Cook, who preceded her in death. On April 19, 1980, she married Jimmie Tibbs, who survives in Lima.
She graduated from Lima Senior High School in 1973. She attended Patricia Stevens Junior College in Toledo in 1975 and Bowling Green State University from 1975 to 1976. Debra worked as office personnel at the Standard Oil BP Distribution Center for over seventeen years and later served at the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Communication front desk for eleven and a half years. She also enjoyed working with children at LACCA for many years and worked as a secretary for the Department of Natural Resources and Wildlife.
Debra found her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on August 6, 1975, a day she lovingly called her “New Birth,” at New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church. She attended Mt. Olivet Church of God in Christ in Lima and was an active member of One Church Lima, where she was deeply involved in the Music Ministry and Children’s Teaching Ministry. She was especially known for playing her tambourine on Sundays.
Debra was a true fashionista, famously mixing her favorite color-hot pink-with bold leopard and zebra prints in her outfits. She was also known for her striking eye color, receiving compliments daily from caregivers at Mercy Health ICU and Kindred Hospital, as well as from strangers she passed. Even as many doctors, nurses, specialists, housekeeping staff, family, and friends entered her room, she greeted them with a smile and a light in her eyes – a true reflection of her beautiful spirit.
Survivors include: Her daughter, Jionne “Ji” Tibbs of Lima; sons, Jerian Tibbs and Jameson Tibbs of Cleveland; granddaughter, Gracelyn Tibbs of St. Marys; step-sister, Julia Carlisle-Washington; sister, Harriett “Colleen” Carlisle of Detroit, Michigan; step-brothers, Charles Carlisle and Colburn “Pete” Carlisle; godson, Michael Peyton of Fort Wayne, Indiana; goddaughter, Ashley Chima-Danielle Ejiogu of Cincinnati; brothers-in-law, Edd Shine and Mark “Skin” Pitts of Lima; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her stepmother, Harriett Rose Carlisle – Cook, sisters, Dollie Cesario, Johnnie “Deanie” Shine, Barbara Pitts, and Denise Cook; brothers, David “Skip” Cook, Leonard “Jeffrey” Cook, and Michael “Miguel” Cook; and niece, Princess Cook.
Home Going Services will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at One Church Lima, 3075 Yoakam Road, Lima, Ohio 45806.
Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service Friday at the church.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com
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