Delphine "Debbie" B (Britton) Schwartz

Debbie was born in Detroit, Michigan, January 2, 1932, to Gladys and Frank Britton. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Schwartz; children, John and Karen Schwartz and by a sister, Camille Klages.

Debbie spent her early years in Detroit and moved with her family to Beaumont, TX to finish her schooling. She graduated from St. Thomas University, Houston, TX and married Jack Schwartz in1954. Debbie started teaching in a Catholic school in 1954. She had to quit teaching after only one semester when she found out she was pregnant with her first child. She went back to teaching in 1963, again at a Catholic School. At that time (the early 1960s), the Civil Rights Movement was going strong. She was involved in the fight for Headstart Education for minority children from the very beginning. Debbie went to work for the public school system in 1967. She moved to Amarillo in 1969, and continued to work for Early Childhood Education by becoming one of the first 10 credentialed Kindergarten teachers in the Texas Panhandle. She continued teaching until her retirement from AISD in 1981. She worked four years directing a grant through the Headstart Program through Region XVI. She spent 10 years as a Headstart Evaluator during the 1990s. Debbie’s home and her heart were always open. She treated everyone like family.

She is survived by her children, Peggy Eitzen and husband Jerry of Amarillo, Kurt Schwartz of Carlsbad, CA, Anne Frye and husband David of Canyon, Tessa Grant and husband Chess of Amarillo, and Doris Schwartz of California; 13 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; her sister, Sue Mowan and husband Lee of Ninevah, IN; also surviving her are a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.