Deborah Jo Smart
Deborah Jo Smart, 72, of Chillicothe, passed away Thursday, June 6, 2024 at Southern Ohio Medical Center Hospice, Portsmouth.
She was born Feb. 16, 1952 in Portsmouth, a daughter of the late Donald and Doris Fannin.
Debbie grew up in the small town of New Boston. She was joined in marriage with Harold “Joe” Smart on April 15, 1978 in Portsmouth.
Debbie was a 1970 graduate of Glenwood High School in New Boston. She worked for Custom Carpet Company in Portsmouth, and she retired from the Kroger Company in Chillicothe. Her favorite pastime was playing bingo with her friends. She loved spending time with her precious family. She was a member of the Chillicothe First Church of God. Debbie was an incredible lady who loved the Lord and shared her faith and testimony with many others. She was loved by many people and will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her loving husband, Joe Smart; a son, Matthew Smart and his companion, Rozella Ely and a daughter, Jodie Smart, all of Chillicothe; two grandsons, Colton Scaggs and Chanson Smart, whom she and Joe are raising, and Colton’s father, William Scaggs, all of Chillicothe; her sisters, Phyllis Thoroughman of Portsmouth, Sandra (Steve) Tyree of West Liberty, Ky., and Colleen (Robert) Payton of Sandy Hook, Ky.; brothers, Donald (Tina) Fannin and Danny (Stephanie) Fannin of West Liberty, Ky.; her brothers-in-law, Ron Neal of Wheelersburg, John Smart (Nancy) of Chillicothe and George (Kathleen) Smart of Marysville; sister-in-law, Betty Morgan of Frankfort; eight special friends, Caryl Price, Debbie Kester, Edie Kallas, Lou Ann Tribbey, Pam Casler, Paula Hollerud, Phyllis Potts and Rhonda Crace; and a host of nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
Debbie was preceded in death by her mother, Doris Fannin; father, Donald Fannin; stepmother, Wendlene Fannin Perry; sister, Carol Neal; grandparents, Harlan and Bessie Fannin and Oscar and Lillian Fannin; two special aunts, Reva and Geneva Fannin; brothers-in-law, Donald Thoroughman and Russell Morgan; father and mother-in-law, Roy and Helen Smart; sister-in-law, Virginia Smart; and a nephew, Johnny Smart.
The family wishes to thank the staffs at the Chillicothe Cancer Center, the OSU James Cancer Center and the Southern Ohio Medical Center Hospice for the loving care and kindness during her illness.
Her celebration of life will be held Monday, June 10, 2024 at 1 p.m. at the Ebright Funeral Home, Frankfort, with Pastor Ben Liston officiating. Following the service, Debbie will be laid to rest in Greenlawn Cemetery, Frankfort. The family will receive guests at the funeral home Sunday from 5-8 p.m. and one hour prior to the funeral service.
Those who wish to share a memory of Debbie and sign her online register may do so at www.ebrightfuneralhome.com.