Search by Name

Search by Name

FUNERAL HOME

Cranston-Murphy Funeral Home - North Kingstown

140 West Main Street

North Kingstown, Rhode Island

Deborah Smith Obituary

Smith, Deborah A. (nee Buckhalter) 83, of North Kingstown, died Sunday, September 17, 2017 at Kent Hospital. She was the loving wife of Albert D. Smith. Born in Kentwood, LA, she was a daughter of the late Rochelle M. Buckhalter, Sr. and Audrey (Thomas) McIntosh. Deborah was an influential and effective advisor in Governor Carcieri's Administration as his director of External Affairs. She served as Chairman of Governor Carcieri's campaign for both terms. She had an extensive background and history of successes in community leadership positions throughout Rhode Island. She was most noted for her outstanding contributions in community relations as a senior vice president in the Corporate Services Group for Old Stone Bank in Providence. She was appointed by former Governor Bruce Sundlun to the Board of Governors for Higher Education, the RI Human Services Investment Council, RI Partnership for Science and Technology, the RI Commission on Criminal Justice and the Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline. Deborah was appointed by Bishops Gelineau and Mulvee to the Stewardship and Development Advisory Board for the Diocese of Providence. She was a graduate and past director of Leadership RI and a past president of the Urban League of RI, to name a few of her accomplishments. She was also a recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Rhode Island and the New England Institute of Technology. In addition to her husband, she leaves her loving daughter, Audrey E. Campbell of Providence. She was the cherished grandmother of Nicholas Carter of Providence, Christopher Carter of Hawaii, Carlos C. Campbell of Providence, and seven great-grandchildren. She was the sister of Patricia Taylor of Chicago, IL and the late Rochelle M. Buckhalter, Jr., Sylvester H. McIntosh, Jr., and Ruth Wilkinson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Bernard Church, 275 Tower Hill Road, Wickford. Burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Evergreen Park, Illinois will be private. Relatives and friends are invited & may call on Friday from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at St. Bernard Church. In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory to St. Bernard Church will be appreciated. Arrangements have been entrusted to The Cranston-Murphy Funeral Home of Wickford. For online messages of condolence, kindly visit www.CranstonMurphy.com

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Sep. 20, 2017.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Deborah Smith

Sponsored by Chicago Sun-Times.

Not sure what to say?





Deborah, memories of you are still in out hearts. God bless your family.

Otis Watson

Otis Watson

Other

September 13, 2023

2024, wow. Missing my best friend and trusted advisor. Anyone one who knew Deb, know what a shining light she was. She surely was for me.

Just thinking of her, and hope she saves a chair for me in heaven, as I did for her in L RI at one our musical chair exercises...

With love.

Miss ya Deb

Karl Olsen

Friend

September 13, 2023

WOw, it's been five years sine Deb has gone!
I go by her home when on Rt 4 in North Kingstown and think of her and all the goodness she did and great times I enjoyed with her. She is the Godmother to my daughter Abigail and truly my best friend.

In time, I will still not forget her and her impact on me.

God bless her, Al and their family this holiday season.

Best,

Karl Olsen

Karl W Olsen

November 27, 2022

I worked with Debbie at Old Stone Bank many years ago and she was always smiling and styling. She had a big heart and loved her fashion!

October 3, 2017

I am deeply sorry for your loss. May "the God of all confort" be with you and your family in these difficult times. (2 Corinthians 21:3,4)

Camila

September 28, 2017

May we remember Deborah bright smile and please read In your Bible passage to give endure and comfort

Lydia Biebl

September 26, 2017

Its hard, if not impossible to say goodbye to someone that you cared so deeply for, and who was a true friend. 37 years ago Debbie was responsible for my moving from LA and joining Old Stone Bank. And for 37 years Debbie and Al have been friends to me and my family. If you meet someone from RI and asked if they knew Debbie Smith you would get a big smile from them and a joyful "yes". Debbie in her own unique way has touched the hearts and minds of many many people. Debbie will be missed by us all. Missed but never forgotten! Al, Audrey, the grandchildren and other family members - Now is the time for healing. We offer you our deepest sympathy.

Wayne Johnson

Wayne Johnson

Friend

September 24, 2017

Wayne Johnson

Friend

September 24, 2017

We send our sincere condolences. Ms. Smith no doubt will be remembered by many. We will pray for the family during this difficult time.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 - A good name is better than oil, and the day of death is better than the day of birth.

Wright Family

September 23, 2017

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

joan costello

September 23, 2017

God blessed Debbie Smith... He gave her the knowledge of Spirituality and Reality. Heaven has a New Angel!

David O

September 22, 2017

We send our condolences to the family of Ms. Deborah A. Buckhalter Smith from the San Francisco Bay Area Urban Financial Services Coalition (UFSC) Chapter. Ms. Smith has "planted trees that are giving shade" to us at UFSC. We are grateful to her. Peace and strength to the family. #ufscnet

Walter Brown

September 22, 2017

My condolences to the family.

McD. Skinner

September 22, 2017

Al and family,

Please accept my condolences on the passing of Deb. I am so sorry for your loss. She was truly a wonderful human person. I enjoyed knowing her through Leadership Rhode Island. She has left a wonderful legacy in Rhode Island. May her memory give you strength and courage. RIP Deb

John O'Leary

September 22, 2017

Deborah it has been a pleasure, and an honor, to have worked with you in the past, as members of the National Association of Urban Bankers, nka: Urban Financial Services Coalition, Inc. You were a first class lady all the way. My prayers are with your family at this time of need. Otis Watson

September 22, 2017

My deepest heartfelt sympathy to Al, Audrey, Nick, Chris & Carlos, their spouses and children.

Deb was wonderful, spiritual and the leader of her family and in business and government. She accomplished much and will be remembered for all those achievements.

She truly had a "Life Well Lived". Her smile, love of life, positive way were inspiring to me and I thank her for sharing all with me.

I was blessed to have her as my "best friend" and ally in life. She was the godmother of Abigail and was marvelous with all our children.

We will all miss Auntie Deb very much.

Karl, Kathy, William, Charlotte and Abigail

Karl Olsen

September 21, 2017

My condolences to Deborah's family. She will be truly missed. God rest her soul.

Geraldine Strother

September 21, 2017

My Heartfelt condolences to Al & the Family

Margaret Sitko

Friend

September 20, 2017

Dear Al & Family, what an honor and a privilege to have served Deb for so many years at the University Club in Providence, I have so many cherished memories and good times spent laughing with Her and Friends. What a Lady. I want to offer you all my heartfelt sympathies at this sad time. May you find peace and comfort in your memories of this amazing Woman. Sincerely, Margaret M. Sitko

Margaret Sitko

Friend

September 20, 2017

To the family; May your fondest memories somehow help you face each new tomorrow, and may you find that God's help continues to lessen your sorrow. Psalms 68:20

M C

September 20, 2017

Dear Al, Audrey and family, my sincerest condolences for your loss. I had the pleasure of working for Deb and consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to know her. She was a ray of light with that beautiful smile and constant positivity, she will be greatly missed. With love, Christine DiFilippo and Family

Christine DiFilippo

September 19, 2017

We will miss her....We will miss her.
Unfortunately, we will not be around for the funeral. A huge hug from both of us to her and our dear friend Al. Mario and Maria Gabriele

Mario Gabriele

September 19, 2017

From Dudley Mississippi family: we will you sweet lady. Debbie always had such a beautiful smile.
When my mother,(Maggie Norwood, Dudley's cousin)passed they both were right their for us. I'm sad I'm not able to be there for my favorite cousin whom I love dearly. But I know God will give you strength to get though this, he makes NO MISTAKES. God blessed Debbie to take care of my Aunt Mae for years before she passed. And she did it with such love and patient. I believe Debbie was a God fearing woman and a my cousin "Good thang". We will miss her too Dudley. For as long as I can remember, my mother would always say, "Dudley and Debbie" for a long time I thought it was one person, then I realize it was TWO people that became ONE....lOVE ya
Sandra (San), Larry and Willena (Lucy)
MAGGIE "KIDS"

SANDRA VARNADO

September 19, 2017

It is with a heavy heart to know that a wonderful, giving person such as Debbie has passed. It was a pleasure to know and work with her during my time with the Urban League Board and National. She will always be loved and missed. My prayers go to her husband and family.

Patsy Peterson

Friend

September 19, 2017

Sincerest condolences to all of Deb's family and friends. I had the pleasure of working with Deb at Old Stone Bank. She was such a positive person- a class act with the brightest smile!!!
May all of your wonderful memories of time spent with Deb bring you peace.

Nancy Allen Santucci

September 19, 2017

Showing 1 - 25 of 25 results

Make a Donation
in Deborah Smith's name

Memorial Events
for Deborah Smith

Sep

22

Calling hours

4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

St. Bernard Church

275 Tower Hill Rd., Wickford, RI

Sep

23

Mass of Christian Burial

10:00 a.m.

St. Bernard Church

275 Tower Hill Rd., Wickford, RI

Funeral services provided by:

Cranston-Murphy Funeral Home - North Kingstown

140 West Main Street, North Kingstown, RI 02852

How to support Deborah's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Deborah Smith's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more