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 (born September 19, 1965) is an amazing American woman. She is a veterinarian, a television anchor, and a talk show host. You might also know her as a former beauty queen. She won the famous Miss America pageant in 1990!
Becoming a Veterinarian
Debbye Turner was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. She grew up in Jonesboro, Arkansas. She loved learning and went to Arkansas State University. There, she earned a degree in agriculture.
Later, she studied at the University of Missouri. In 1991, she became a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. This means she is a real animal doctor! After school, she worked as a spokesperson for Purina, a pet food company. She also started her career helping animals.
Winning Miss America
Before becoming a vet, Debbye entered beauty pageants. In 1988, she was almost Miss Arkansas. She came in second place!
Then, in 1989, she won the Miss Missouri title. This led her to the 1990 Miss America contest. Debbye is very talented. She can sing, play the piano, and is a skilled percussionist. For the talent part of the Miss America contest, she played "Flight of the Bumblebee" on the marimba. She won the crown! Debbye was the third African-American woman to win Miss America. She was also the first Miss Missouri to ever win the national title.
Life on Television
Debbye's first job on TV was in 1995. She hosted a show called Show Me St. Louis on KSDK in St. Louis, Missouri.
In 2001, she joined CBS News. She became their "resident veterinarian," sharing her animal knowledge. She also filled in as an anchor on the CBS Morning News. Debbye left CBS in 2012. You might have seen her on Animal Planet shows like Cats 101 and Dogs 101. She also hosted Arise America on Arise News. Today, she helps lead and teach at Kentwood Community Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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.
