PENDLETON, Ind. —
Debra Aynes was a staple at Deb and Donna’s Diner. Her outgoing, friendly personality endeared her to customers. Deb was a rock, always smiling, encouraging, providing Sunday dinners and helping anyone she knew who had a need.
Deb, 51, died in the early morning of July 31, 2010, after Robert Jones, 56, entered The Diner with a revolver and a semi-automatic handgun and shot her before turning the gun on himself. Deb had broken up with him just days before.
Donna Cantrell, friend and co-owner of the diner, remembers Deb’s vibrant energy. The two had been best friends for 20 years and worked together at a declining restaurant before opening The Diner 14 years ago.
Pam Rector, a loyal customer, kept coming back to Deb and Donna’s for the family atmosphere and remembers Deb’s sense of humor. Pam would look up from eating to see Deb peeking through the window in the kitchen door, making silly faces at diners.
Kelly Shannon recalled Deb’s love for everyone she touched.
“She was like a mother to me,” Kelly said. “She was a good best friend.”
With her unsurpassed love for her children and grandchildren, Deb was the glue that held her large family together.
Losing her business partner and friend has created a hole in Donna’s life. Deb and Donna consulted each other on business decisions. More than a month after Deb’s death, Donna would still forget that Deb was gone and would pick up the phone to call her.
Steve Lay, a local minister and regular patron at the diner, spoke to a crowd of more than 300 at a candlelight vigil soon after Deb’s death.
“Debbie (Aynes) provided us all a place of ease, safety and comfort,” Lay said, gesturing toward the diner behind him. “It is a shame it wasn’t that to her.”
Faces of Domestic Violence
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Debra Aynes
Discussion
Debra Aynes: 'Full of energy'
Pendleton woman killed at her diner days after breakup
- Faces of Domestic Violence
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Who can stop domestic violence? You
The elimination of abuse in relationships — with time, cooperation and commitment — is possible, said Colleen Yeakle, coordinator of the Indiana Coalition of Domestic Violence’s (ICADV) prevention initiative.
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Legislation comes a long way, but more change needed
Each year the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence sets its legislative priorities based on year-round discussions with its members and legislators to see what needs are out there and what is going on in the field.
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Children affected by abuse too
While some may think the atmosphere at Alternatives, the Anderson domestic violence shelter, would be a somber one, instead it is a building filled with laughter and joy.
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Kristy Gissendanner: 'Vivacious and sweet'
Six-day-old Gabrielle Gissendanner and her 18-month-old brother Michael weren’t far from their mom when Harry Gissendanner shot and killed Kristy in their Anderson home in 2004.
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John Davis: ‘Defined by your actions and inactions’
John Davis wants his pain to make a difference. He’s hopeful sharing what he experienced and witnessed growing up will empower someone else to leave a dangerous situation or avoid it altogether.
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‘It was life-altering’
Casey Huffman should have taken her son Camdon to his first day of kindergarten this year. She should be picking out a Halloween costume for him. She should be thinking about how to help him achieve his hopes and dreams. Instead, Casey mourns over his all-too-early death.
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Tina Tomlinson: 'She was a hoot'
Tina Tomlinson was just “plain fun,” her family recalled. The mother of two and dedicated grandmother was someone family could look to for a good time.
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Domestic violence prevention is possible, expert says
Gender stereotypes are just one thing that Todd Cawthorn and five other speakers, during a 90-minute panel discussion Tuesday night, talked about that create an environment where domestic violence is accepted.
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Teens can be victims of domestic violence, too
Dating violence has been seen locally in relationships as young as sixth grade, Alternatives Inc. prevention specialist Todd Cawthorn said.
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Justice for victims
While a protective order is an important piece of the legal puzzle that domestic violence victims have to solve, Judge Stephen Clase stresses to each that it is, after all, “just a piece of paper.” “They won’t stop a knife or a bullet,” he said. “I tell them they need to be on guard at all times.”
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