Debbie Kay McMakin passed away in the early morning on Wednesday, May 7th 2025 at the Billings Clinic Hospital in Billings Montana at the age of 61. Debbie suffered from a massive heart attack and was being comforted by 5 of her 6 children when she made her final journey.
Debbie was born on January 16th, 1964, in Terry, Montana, and was the middle of 8 children. Fathered by James “Jim” McMakin, of Irish decent, and mothered by Theda “Teddy” McMakin, who was a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. At a young age Debbie moved with her family from Terry, MT to Lame Deer, MT on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation where she would spend most of her life calling home.
Being known as a protector by her younger brothers and a free spirit to her older siblings. Her father, Jim, had a particular fondness for her, giving her the nickname “Debbie Do” as she would do what she would do. Jim taught Debbie to play cribbage at a young age that would become a lifelong favorite pass time of hers. Debbie would later go on to teach her own children to play cribbage at young ages creating a generational love for the game.
Debbie graduated from Lame Deer Elementary in 1978 and later graduated from Colstrip High School in 1982 where she created many lifelong friendships. In her youth Debbie attended as many dances as she could with her best girlfriends, Bernadette “Pebbles” Johnson, Carla Two Two, Brenda Horn, and Gwen Killsnight. They would often go downtown and sing “My Bologna has a First Name” and “Delta Dawn” while holding hands like the crazy kids they were.
In 1987, Debbie moved to Washington D.C. with her oldest sister, Clara Caufield, to assist Clara as an Au Pair for 2 of her nephews and 1 of her nieces. While assisting her sister in D.C. she met, Adoun “Paul” Inthavong of Laotian decent, and the two of them had a daughter together in 1988. Washington D.C. exposed Debbie to lots of different cultures and she especially enjoyed Lao food.
After being in D.C. for a few years, Debbie and her daughter moved back to Lame Deer, where she met and married Eric Sherman in the summer of 1991. She graduated from Dull Knife Memorial College with an Associates of Arts degree in June of 1992. In August of 1992, Debbie and Eric welcomed their son into the world.
Early in 1993, Debbie was in a severe car accident that resulted in her being physically disabled and she suffered head trauma that impacted her short-term memory. The accident revealed her core, a woman who loved music, family, and had a keen sense of humor. She continued her habits of documenting sentimental events and taking pictures.
Debbie and Eric divorced in 1993, after that Debbie and her oldest daughter lived in an apartment in the West Side of Lame Deer. Debbie, who was confined to a wheelchair after her car accident, would often push herself in her chair to downtown Lame Deer if her or her daughter ever needed anything. On one of these trips Debbie got her chair stuck in downtown Lame Deer and met Billford Curley, as he stopped and helped her get her chair unstuck. The two began talking and Debbie invited him to her apartment to play cribbage and visit. This was the start of a decades long relationship where the two would have 4 children together, 1 son and 3 daughters.
Debbie was preceded by her father Jim McMakin, her mother Teddy McMakin, brother Jerry McMakin, sister Kelly Thompson, nephew Rusty Spotted Elk, her uncle Leroy Whiteman, and her grandparents, Milton “Buster” Whiteman, Emma Kinzel, Clara Angela Keeler, and Loranzy Dowl McMakin, and her great grandmother Alice Kinzel.
Debbie is survived by her children Toni Inthavong, Tristan Sherman, Trevor Curley, Tessa Curley, Tavin Curley, and Toran McMakin. Her granddaughters from Toni, Madison and Emerson Hidalgo. Her brother and sisters Tom McMakin, Clara (McMakin) Caufield, Mike McMakin, and Patrick McMakin. And extensive nieces, nephews, aunties, uncles, and cousins.
Debbie will be buried on the Whiteman family cemetery, located on the Whiteman property. Her final request was to have a small, modest service and her children intend to honor those wishes.
A special thanks to Debbie’s cousin, Alice Whiteman, for accommodating Debbie in the Whiteman family plot. The Northern Cheyenne Tribe, the Norther Cheyenne housing authority, St. Labre Indian School, Billford Curley Sr, and Misty Russette for assisting Debbie’s children with the services. Debbie’s cousins Diane Rapos and Rynalea “Renny” Whiteman for their guidance. Additionally, Clara Caufield, Tom and Jane McMakin, Mike McMakin, Bernadette “Pebbles” Johnson, and Carlena Gandara, for assisting with the obituary. The Shoulder Blade Complex and Floyd Webster “Webby” Runsabove for taking care of Debbie while she lived at the complex and being the Master of Ceremonies for the burial services. The Mormon Church for always being a reliable support system. Lance Spotted Elk for assisting Debbie’s children as pall bearers. The Billings Clinic Hospital. And the Charging Horse Casino, Debbie’s home away from home.
In conclusion, Debbie’s family will be holding a celebration of life ceremony Memorial Day weekend of 2026. All of Debbie’s friends and family are invited to attend this celebration. The ceremony will consist of the placing of Debbie’s tombstone and a feeding. The family is requesting that if you would like to make any donations for the tombstone to reach out to any of Debbie’s children.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
Share
Donna Gonzales says
Condolences to Clara and the Mcmakin family. Debbie was a beautiful soul. it was our previlrge to call her our friend.. We are deeply saddened by her passing. Peace..May God welcome you into his holy kingdom. Corinne Lumpy Washer, Donna Limpy Gonzales and Betty Limpy Williams
Calvin and Roxie Wilson says
So sorry for your loss
Donna Wick says
Condolences to the family hugs and prayers
Bernadette(pebbles) says
I’m so sorry my friend, my sister
Prayers for your kids. Love you. RIP no more pain
Lorraine Waters says
Condolences to the McMakin family. Debbie had strength, beauty and an aura. I will miss seeing her.
Jolene Walkslast says
Debbie and her children will be in my thoughts and prayers
Bertha A Brown says
My sincere condolences to Toni, and Deb’s Brothers.
Debbie was quite the gal. I remember our dullknife days.This is a huge loss.
Ruth and Ron (Harris) Burman says
Debbie was always a friendly person and kind and caring and listen to you. Condolences and Prayers to your family.
~Stell~ says
My condolences for Debbie’s Family and her Friends.
Debbie was a dear friend always smiling and talking of years past.
She will be missed .Sending Love and Prayers for her children and siblings.
Pat and Sue Mengon says
We didn’t have much of a chance to get to know your mom, and Madison and Emerson’s grandma Debbie, but we wish to offer our heartfelt condolences to your family at this time of great loss. Toni and family are in our thoughts and prayers
Cynthia Stanton says
Sincere condolences to the Whiteman/McMakin families from the Hogue/Stanton families. Mom (the younger Gladys Hogue) was fond of and spoke highly of the Whiteman family from her years growing up in Terry. May you have comfort and peace.
Willowa Heppner French says
Debbie was a great person. Hugs and prayers to the family.
Susan Sorto says
Debbie you have never left my thoughts & your friendship will never die. I miss you & our good times in the DC area. Now you can go back to your “Rock & Roll/Heavy Metal” days, no more pain & your body renewed. I will see you again one day. Ty for showing me your Rez, introducing me to your MT family (that drive was crazy w/3 adults & 4 kids in your sisters van from DC – MT & getting stuck in a small town when the van broke down over a holiday weekend coming back). You kept ALL of us entertained & trying to take our minds off of being stuck in a 1 motel room. I will see you again my friend! I love you!