Debra Ann White, 71, of Waterloo, passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City. Debra was born on September 9, 1954, in East Saint Louis, IL, the daughter of Clothier White and Estella (Rainey) Newman. She graduated from East High School in 1973.

Debra worked at the Holiday Inn in Cedar Falls from 1991-2020. She then worked at the Waterloo Boys and Girls club as a cook in the cafeteria until retirement. She was a member of Union Missionary Baptist Church. She loved shopping, going to the casino, talking on the phone with her friends and spending time with her family.

She is preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Darrell Lanier; two sisters, Mary Ruth Gaines-Joyner, and Betty White; two brothers, Radford Newman, and John Gaines.

Debra is survived by her daughters, Carlena Muhammad, Selina White, Desiree White (James Brantley), Vanassa White (Ulysses Moore), and Jonika Muhammad, all of Waterloo; son, Melvin White of Waterloo; two bonus sons, Michael Muhammad of Houston, TX, and Lamont Muhammad of Kansas City, KS; 24 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; sisters, Ollie Jordan, Shirley White, Gennie White, Patricia Newman, and Vera Newman all of Waterloo, Della (Ben) Grey of East St. Louis, IL, and Linda (José) Valencia of Dallas, TX; two brothers, Leo (Gloria) White, and Roger (Heather) Newman, both of Waterloo; God sister, Theresa Rainey-Montgomery of Waterloo; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends.

Visitation: Family to receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Union Missionary Baptist Church, Waterloo.
Funeral Services to follow at 1:00 p.m. with burial to take place at Fairview Cemetery-Waterloo,

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Locke at Tower Park is serving the family. Please visit lockefuneralservices.com to offer your condolences.