Ms Debra Ann Mosley

Debra Ann Mosley, cherished daughter and sister, passed away unexpectedly on May 20, 2021. Debbie was born on January 22, 1952, in Fresno, CA to Lee and Phyllis Mosley (née Minnitte, later Bilbo). From birth until age six, Debbie lived with her parents and older sister, Cheryl, in the farming hamlet of Cantua Creek, where daily life included the love of many Minnitte aunts, uncles, and cousins. In 1958, Debbie, along with her mom and sister, moved to Oildale, where Debbie attended Beardsley Elementary School. It was during this time that her two brothers, Bill and John, were born.

In 1964, Debbie’s family moved to Centerville, where they lived on a beautiful island of open farmland surrounded by the Kings River. Debbie attended Centerville Union School, followed by two years at Sanger High and then two years at McLane High, from which she graduated in 1970. During her years at both Sanger High and McLane High and then at Fresno City College, she was on the schools’ pom-pom (dance) teams that performed at school rallies and sports games.

Debbie also attended California State University, Fresno (CSUF), graduating in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English literature. Her outstanding English language skills enabled her to work as a professional freelance proofreader and editor. Later she completed post-graduate studies at CSUF’s Department of Education. She did not pursue education as a career, however, choosing to work instead at Resources International, a firm providing farm management, consulting, and implementation services to countries around the world, where she assisted in writing technical reports, company literature, and correspondence.

Having developed an interest in law as a career, Debbie enrolled in San Joaquin College of Law, first being certified as a paralegal in 1996 and then graduating in 2000 with a Juris Doctorate. Subsequently, she passed the California Bar Exam and was certified to the Supreme Court of California as eligible to practice law in all California courts. Debbie specialized in workers’ compensation law, beginning her law career with Javier Alabart at Alabart Law. Later she worked at Adelson, Testan & Brundo for several years before moving to Bradford & Barthel, where she became a partner. At the end of July 2018, after 12 years at Bradford & Barthel, she retired.

Debbie was a very generous person, lending money when her help was needed and, memorably, taking especial care to find gifts that she thought would delight each family member at each holiday and special occasion. Recently, she had been making monthly gifts to Bulldog Pantry, CSUF’s student-run food pantry. She had also begun cooking a variety of meals and sharing them with family. Additionally, she had been working day-after-day in her front yard, removing the lawn and planting many different types of flowering plants that attract bees, birds, and butterflies. This labor of love was, she said, meditative for her and gave her joy.

Debbie’s loved ones who predeceased her include her mother, Phyllis Minnitte-Bilbo, and father, Lee Mosley. Loved ones who survive her include her stepfather Bill Bilbo; sister Cheryl Ehmke; brother Bill Bilbo, his wife Lisa, and children Christopher, Karissa, and Emily; brother John Bilbo and his partner Anthony Zamora; aunt Angela Minnitte-Hill; numerous cousins who were like siblings to her; and many other Minnitte family members.

Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, June 8, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Fresno.



Remembrances—marked “in memory of Debra Mosley”—may be made to “Bulldog Pantry/LCM,” 2311 E. Shaw Avenue, Fresno CA 93710.