of Little Rock, AR
April 13, 1949 - November 18, 2024
Deborah Lynn Vantrease passed away November 18th after a courageous battle with lung cancer. She was born on April 13,1949 to John R. and Dorothy Fitzhugh Vantrease.
''Miz Deb'', as she was affectionately known to most, was a brilliant gardener, stylist and decorator. She could curate beautiful magazine worthy rooms and gardens and went particularly overboard with holiday decorations every year, even once wading hip deep into a snaky creek to get live lily pads to dry and spray paint gold because the fake ones at Hobby Lobby were not big enough. She loved an abundance of twinkling lights and elaborate decorations while watching and reciting ''Christmas Vacation'' repeatedly during the season.
Deb was raised in Malvern, attended and graduated from Malvern High School. She was a talented baton twirler in high school and at State College of Arkansas (now UCA), where she was a member of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority. She loved to twirl Machetes and Fire Batons until, much to her disappointment, the school banned the use of gasoline on the football field. Even late into her midlife years, you might catch her working out on the Stairmaster at home while twirling her batons to the music of Aretha Franklin.
A natural beauty, Deb was Hot Springs County Fair Queen, Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity's 1970 International Dream Girl and a finalist, representing Arkansas, in the National Maid of Cotton. She advanced to Miss Arkansas twice winning second runner-up as Miss Malvern and Miss Conway.
Upon graduating with a degree in elementary education, Deb taught second grade until her stylistic talents led her to the fur industry, where she spent twenty plus years as a furrier at Bensky, Fletcher and Spector Furs in Little Rock. She was devoted to her customers in the fur industry and made many friends along the way, outfitting Little Rock's finest, with luxuries they didn't know they needed until they met her!
Deb also spent many years working at Fabulous Finds in Little Rock where she assisted her customers to find the perfect item, something usually very ornate and extra-large to beautify their space. ''Go Big or Go Home!'' in other words, she was a maximalist before maximalists were cool. She could always ''squeeze something big'' into the smallest spaces and make it look incredible.
Deb was a devoted daughter, sister to her brother, Johnny and wife, to her husband of 18 years, Roger Treadwell. In addition to wading in snaky creeks, riding horses and climbing tall ladders to decorate multiple 12' Christmas Trees, she did other courageous things like marrying a man who was single parenting three teenage daughters. She was a great mom, approaching most tense situations with a healthy dose of humor, a pot of strong coffee, a glass of red wine and vacuuming until the lines in the carpet were just perfect. She loved her family; her daughters and their friends like they were all her own.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother and her husband. She is survived by her daughters, Cindi Treadwell-McConnell (Kevin McConnell), Judy Harvey, Missi Walker (Stuart) and grandchildren, Bridget Davis (Skye Scott), Spencer Davis, Grayce McConnell, JadeAnn Wilson, South, Katie and Lexie Walker and niece, Jenny Welch (James) and their children, Katherine and William. She was excited to introduce herself to the newest generation, Davis James Scott, due in February.
The family extends their deepest gratitude to Dr. Konstantinos Arnaoutakis (aka: Dr. A. for ''Awesome'' as she called him), Dr. Sruthi Vellanki and all the caregivers on E7 and A7 at UAMS for making her final months comfortable and peaceful.
Miz Deb loved animals, owning many dogs who were obnoxiously spoiled, slept in her bed and were fed McDonald's burgers or spaghetti with a fork, sometimes. Donations in her memory can be made to the Humane Society of Pulaski County, 14600 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, AR 72210 or any dog rescue organization of your choice.
The family will hold a private celebration of Deb's extraordinarily decorative life during the holiday season where all the little lights will be twinkling.
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15 Condolence(s)
Paula Pendergrass Allen
Friday, December 13, 2024
Debbie, as we knew her from UCA was a beautiful person, both inside and out. Prayers for her family,
Rikki & Kim Willse
Monday, December 2, 2024
Truly a presence that will be missed by so many. But in turn will live on through those she loved and touched through their interactions with others.
Judy Cameron
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Love this. woman. She was special.
Linda (Lock) Skinner-Strsnge
Monday, November 25, 2024
We were not close friends but we did have one foray across backyards that included a clothes line. She was more fun than a car full of clowns. Daring, funny and a very cool girl.
Sharon Bruce
Sunday, November 24, 2024
Debbie was always so very sweet, and kind, to everyone. My thoughts and prayers to her daughters, and grandchildren.
Kim Knight Cherry
Sunday, November 24, 2024
She really was beautiful inside and out. Our Vantrease family in heaven are adding another beautiful soul. Love you forever! Kim
Gail W West
Sunday, November 24, 2024
Debbie was my cousin, her dad, Johnny Bob and Dorothy lived two houses down from me on Hwy 9. She was a beautiful young lady and will be missed by many. My thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to her daughters and family.
Nell Weaver Lyford
Sunday, November 24, 2024
Like everyone who grew up with Debbie in Malvern, I have so many great memories of visiting her home, loved her mom, and doing all the crazy things together that small town kids did in the 60’s. Also went to UCA with her. She was a real star there!
Love to her family!
Mary and Gary Jefferson
Saturday, November 23, 2024
To all the beautiful Treadwell girls & family-
Debra was a beautiful lady with a beautiful soul and wonderful style!! I loved being around her and learned lots of decorating tricks from her!! She was amazing and will be missed!! Love you all!!
Mary & Gary
Robbie Vallance Sr.
Saturday, November 23, 2024
I was a good friend of her brother John .
Wendy Rogers Rasch
Friday, November 22, 2024
Such a completely beautiful obituary for a beautiful woman. My prayers are with all of you….Twinkle on.
Carol Orr
Friday, November 22, 2024
Love and prayers to the wonderful family.
Judy Toler Aylor
Friday, November 22, 2024
So sorry to hear of Debbie’s passing. I knew her growing up in Malvern. Remembering her family.
Kay HInkle
Friday, November 22, 2024
Debbie and I were first cousins and grew up like sisters as we both had brothers. We lived close to each other growing up and spent every day together in some form or fashion. So many fond memories spending time at home, Granny's house, vacations, holidays, school in Malvern and on to college together. We both had a deep love for each others parents, cousins and friends. I haven't seen her in a long time but thought of her so much. She was one of a kind and loved by all who knew her.
Nancy Jones
Friday, November 22, 2024
Debbie was a beloved sorority sister who taught us all flair. We hemmed our skirts every summer only to find that fall that Vantrease had shortened hers.again over the summer. I remember her cutting all her classes to lie in the sun at the lake in Conway.