DeBee Trant

DeBee is married with three grown children. She lives in Yuma, Arizona with her husband Michael. She was the caretaker of two adult developmentally handicapped males. One is was her brother Mark (who was down syndrome and the 12th of the 12 children) who has since passed away and her husband’s brother Terry (who had brain damage and functioned at the age of 8) also deceased. DeBee and Michael moved to Yuma when they lost the last of their brother’s and retired. DeBee understands the hardships of care giving and the life changes that caregiving requires in people’s lives.

In early 2023 DeBee was diagnosed with Hers2 Breast Cancer and spent over a year in treatment.  Her ‘life threatening’ experience and the many hurdles it presented have become a part of her speaking and teaching. Living life with an ‘attitude of gratitude’ was one of the greatest healing discoveries DeBee now shares with others. She has been released from treatment and told she no longer has cancer but will have to be checked on routinely to keep it that way.

DeBee Trant

DeBee’s Journey

DeBee was spiritually and emotionally damaged by her painful upbringing, leading to poor decisions and self-blame. Despite her efforts, she struggled to recover from her childhood traumas. In 1990, she spiraled into deep depression, which ultimately led to self-discovery. This journey resulted in the founding of Up Close Ministries in 2001, a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

DeBee worked through her family of origin issues, found profound healing, and developed a deep love for helping others. Through her spiritual journey, she received a new name, DeBee, symbolizing her transformation and commitment to restoration.

Living in Yuma, Arizona, with her husband Michael, DeBee was also the caretaker of two adult developmentally handicapped males—her brother Mark, who had Down syndrome, and Michael’s brother Terry, who had brain damage. Both have since passed away, and DeBee understands the hardships of caregiving.

In 2023, DeBee was diagnosed with HER2 Breast Cancer and spent over a year in treatment. Her life-threatening experience brought new insights that she shares in her speaking engagements, emphasizing the power of living with an “attitude of gratitude.” Though now cancer-free, she continues to undergo routine checkups to ensure her health.