The Serpent's Tail
A Memoir

Deborah Daulton Thibodeau's life, at first glance, seems typical: a large Southern family, a career in emergency nursing spanning over three decades, two marriages, children, grandchildren, and pets. However, her memoir, The Serpent's Tail, reveals a harrowing childhood spent in a religious cult.Born to Ed and Bessie Daulton in Pulaski County, Kentucky, Deborah was one of twelve children. The family, seeking spiritual purpose, joined a Pentecostal revival and moved to Prescott, Arizona. There, Brother Leo Mercier, a cult leader, took control, enforcing his doctrines and abusing the children. After thirteen years, the family relocated to Flagstaff, but the fundamentalist influence persisted.Determined to break free, Deborah secretly educated herself, eventually working as an ER Tech and pursuing college. Her choice to marry outside the church shocked her family. Meanwhile, her twin sister Esther, unable to overcome their past trauma, succumbed to self-medication and ultimately cancer in 2013.Grieving Esther's death, Deborah wrote The Serpent's Tail to amplify the voices of those silenced by similar experiences. Transitioning to work with veterans battling PTSD, she found new purpose. Today, Deborah resides in Prescott, Arizona, with her husband Ron, their children, grandchildren, and a cherished cat named Puma. Together, they enjoy the local community and outdoor adventures.