Debra Ann Iguess Darbonne Monks died Dec. 29, 2022 after a long, courageous battle with ovarian cancer. She was born in Jennings, La. May 25, 1956 to Wilford Joseph and Irene Mae Thibodeaux Iguess.
She graduated from Welsh High School in 1974 where she was a cheerleader, on the Homecoming Court, voted Prettiest Girl, and was the FFA Sweetheart.
She was an accomplished gardener, beekeeper, and poultryman who kept friends and family supplied with fresh veggies, honey, and eggs. A consummate homemaker and host, guests at her gatherings feasted on recipes with her own unique twist to Southwest LA cuisine. Antiques she and her husband collected and restored furnished their home, decorated with centerpieces and accents she fashioned from materials collected in the wild.
As an expert fly fisherman, hunter of large and small game, and marksman with both rifle and pistol, she was welcome in any camp. When not hunting, fishing, or working on projects, she was pulling for her favorite NASCAR driver, Martin Truex, or her favorite teams, the LSU Tigers and New Orleans Saints.
As a woman small in stature but large of heart, she possessed an easygoing manner coupled with compassion which made everyone she met feel special. Fearless in loving and supporting those she cared for, unflinching in her defense of those she touched, she lived her life instilling confidence and joy to those in her life. A sense of adventure combined with a gentle-but-razor-sharp wit made her an entertaining companion in any setting. Simple tastes and simple pleasures made her as comfortable in a cocktail dress as she was in her fishing shirt, jeans, and boots. Those that knew her are well aware that we meet someone like her rarely in a lifetime.
She was preceded in death by her father Will Iguess, her sister Darlene Hebert, and her first husband Johnny Darbonne.
She is survived by her husband of 33 years, Steve Monks, her mother Iren;, sisters, Glenetta Janise (Herbert), Angie Nunez (Elry); brothers, Gary Iguess (Gwen) and Shane Iguess (Nancy); brother-in-law, Gene Hebert; stepsons, Todd Darbonne and Courtland Monks; godsons, Scott and Warren Lee Iguess; 10 nephews, three nieces, 11 great-nieces and nephews and a whole host of friends who made up her extended family.
The family would to extend their thanks to the Doctors and Staff of the LSU Cancer Center in Shreveport, Ochsner’s Cancer Center in Lafayette, and MDAnderson Cancer Center in Houston.
As per her wishes, there will be a graveside service at 10 a.m. Thursday at Oaklawn Cemetery, Beaufort St., in Welsh, La., followed by a celebration of life at the Welsh Fire Hut.
It was also her wish that in lieu of flowers, she asked that you please make donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or The Martin Truex Foundation, to raise awareness, boost advocacy and generate financial support for underfunded cancer initiatives specific to ovarian and childhood cancers.