In the 1960s, company founders O. D. and Ruth McKee decided to name a product after one of their grandchildren, four-year-old Debbie. The original image of Debbie used on packaging and advertising was based on a black-and-white photo. Artist Pearl Mann of Atlanta created the original color artwork. Following instructions, she made the little girl look older, around 8 or 9. Minor changes were made to the logo in 1985 and again in 2013.