Deborah Yvonne Smith (nee Miller) was born on March 11, 1956 in Cleveland, Ohio. Deborah met her high school sweetheart Raymond E. Smith Sr. in 1972. They married on January 27, 1980 and were later blessed with three children. She started her career at Ford Motor Company in 1994 at the Walton Hills Stamping Plant, and later transferred to the Lima Engine Plant where she excelled and accomplished many goals. Deborah participated in many work and community activities. She was on the Women's committee, and the Diversity and Inclusion committee, where she taught classes to new hires. Deborah was also on the executive board and was the current Vice President of Union Local 1219 (2nd term). She loved her family deeply and looked forward to their gatherings and vacations. Her kindness, compassion, and support are what made it so easy to gravitate towards her, and her positive energy was highly contagious. She leaves behind her beloved husband Raymond Sr.; children Chanel, Raymond Jr., and Richard; grandchildren Imani, Na'Talya, Zuri, and a whole host of family and friends. Deborah is preceded in death by her parents Charles and Lucy (nee McDaniel) Miller and her siblings Angela “Angie” Jennings (Jeffrey) and Edward “Dusty” Gordon (Pat).
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023 from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. at Vito-Nero Funeral Home 6130 Turney Road Garfield Hts., OH 44125 (2 blocks south of Rockside). Concluding prayer will begin at 1:45 p.m.