Debra "Debbie" Frances Smith

Debra (Debbie) Frances Smith, a beloved wife, mom, nana and friend, passed away after a long battle with Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease on December 22, 2020. Debbie passed in the comfort of her home in the presence of loved ones.

Debbie was born November 12, 1955 in Kettering, Ohio to the late Homer and Jeanne (Houpe) Bick. She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Richard Alan Smith; daughter, Alyson Smith and son-in-law Tyler Cochran; son, Brian Smith; son Jeffrey Smith and daughter-in-law Michelle (Rearick) Smith; grandchildren, Jordan and Wesley Smith; father-in-law, Everett Smith; and sister-in-law, Carol Smith.

Debbie graduated from Fairmont High School in 1974 then attended Miami University where she received her Bachelors and Masters degrees. Dedicating her life to the education of others, Debbie spent a large portion of her career teaching 5th grade at Cline Elementary. She was a friend, to oh so many, reflected in present by the outreach of support from those she touched and in past by frequently holding up family events and travels finding friends to chat with in the most surprising of places. Debbie was compassionate, humanistic, nurturing and cared about the environment long before it was cool – a mission and a set of values that all of her children thoughtfully carry forward. Fond of simple pleasures, she was easy to please and perpetually happy with an outlook on life that was inspiring and optimistic. In her free time, Debbie was an avid reader, frequently attending book clubs with her friends. She enjoyed bike rides with her husband and time spent at the family lake house in Michigan. She was happiest when surrounded by her friends, who were many, and family who loved her dearly. Debbie will be forever missed, and will live on in the hearts and lives of the people she touched.

A private service for the family will be held at the Gebhart-Schmidt-Parramore Funeral Home in Miamisburg. A Celebration of Life will be planned when the family considers it safe for friends and family to gather.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association, Humane Society of Greater Dayton, and the Centerville Education Foundation.