Debbye Turner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Debbye Turner
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Turner in 1990
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| Born | September 19, 1965 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
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| Alma mater | Arkansas State University University of Missouri |
| Occupation | Veterinarian, talk show host, pastor |
| Title | Miss Missouri 1989 Miss America 1990 |
| Predecessor | Gretchen Carlson |
| Successor | Marjorie Vincent |
| Spouse(s) |
Gerald Bell
(m. 2008) |
| Children | 1 |
Debbye Turner Bell was born on September 19, 1965, in Honolulu, Hawaii. She is an American veterinarian, a talk show host, and a former beauty queen. In 1990, she won the Miss America pageant.
Early Life and School
Debbye Turner was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. She grew up in Jonesboro, Arkansas. She studied agriculture at Arkansas State University. Later, she went to the University of Missouri.
In 1991, she earned her degree to become a veterinarian. This means she became a doctor for animals. After school, she worked as a spokesperson for Purina, a pet food company. She also worked as a veterinarian before starting her career in television.
Becoming Miss America
Before winning Miss America, Debbye competed in other pageants. In 1988, she was the first runner-up in the Miss Arkansas Pageant. This competition helps choose who will go to the Miss America contest.
In the summer of 1989, she won the Miss Missouri title. This allowed her to compete for Miss America. Debbye is a talented musician. She can sing, play the piano, and is skilled with percussion instruments. During the 1990 Miss America contest, she played the marimba. Her performance of '"Flight of the Bumblebee"' helped her win. Debbye was the third African-American woman to win the national title. She was also the first and only Miss Missouri to be crowned Miss America.
Her Career in Television
Debbye Turner started her television career in 1995. Her first job was hosting a show called Show Me St. Louis. This show was on the NBC channel KSDK in St. Louis.
Six years later, in 2001, Debbye joined CBS News. She worked as a special correspondent. She also became their "resident veterinarian," sharing her animal knowledge. Sometimes, she would fill in as an anchor on the CBS Morning News. She left CBS in 2012.
Debbye has also appeared on Animal Planet shows. You might have seen her on Cats 101 and Dogs 101. She also hosted a show called Arise America on Arise News. Today, she is a leader at Kentwood Community Church. This church is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Her Family Life
Debbye Turner is the daughter of Frederick C. Turner, Jr. and Gussie Turner. In 2008, she married Gerald Bell. They have one daughter together.
Debbye's older sister, Suzette, is married to Kirbyjon Caldwell. He is a pastor at a very large church.
