Debra Tatro

Debra “Debbie” Kay Switzer Tatro of Gulfport was called home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, January 21, 2024, surrounded by family.

Debbie was born in New Orleans but lived most of her life on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. She was best known for owning the “fruit stand” at the corner of Vidalia Road and JP Ladner Road for many years. Many truck drivers will remember her for the delicious breakfast sandwiches that she made while working at local convenience stores. Cooking was her passion whether it was at work for strangers or at home around the dinner table with her family. Some of us will remember her as the crazy dog lady. While she only ever had one dog at a time, all her dogs were fed on silver platters and no dry food or store-bought food was good enough – a cooked meal was the only option, and all were referred to as “the baby” in conversations. Although her dogs were a big part of her life, she loved her family especially her granddaughter and her pride and joy, her great-grandson, Stetson Reid, or as she referred to him “MawMaw’s Lil Prince”. Her son made her glow differently; she was a proud first responder Mom. She watched him grow from a Volunteer Firefighter to a Fire Chief. She read the printed newspaper every day to see if she could collect another news article in which her son may have been mentioned. She was also a mother-in-law that compared to no other.

Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, Wilson and Ellen Smith, her brother, Larry Smith, and her fur babies, Sandy and Kendricks.

Survivors include her husband of 18 years, Larry Tatro; her son, Gerald (Anita) Smith, one granddaughter, Devin (Blake) Ladner; and one great-grandchild, Stetson Reid Ladner, aka “MawMaw’s Lil Prince”; two sisters, Cheryl (Guy) Carriker and Marty (Wilbert) Meyers; her fur baby, Jeremiah; two step-daughters, Mandie McMahan and Ginger Breland; and many other step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Monday, January 29, 2024, from 10:00 AM until  11:00 AM at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 9113 Kiln-Delisle Road, Pass Christian, MS 39571. The interment will be at Standard Sandhill Cemetery. 

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Pass Christian, is honored to serve the Tatro family.