Susan Helen DeBord (née Rising), age 77, passed away peacefully at home on February 1, 2026, in Coker Creek, Tennessee.
Born on June 13, 1948, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Susan was the daughter of Ruth Louise (Warren) and Leo Rising. She grew up in Pennsylvania and graduated from Bangor Area Senior High School in 1966. Inspired by her childhood experiences working alongside her mother at Bartow Nursing Home in Portland, PA, Susan discovered her passion for nursing at a young age. Her mother's influence helped shape her lifelong calling to care for others.
As a single parent determined to build a better future for herself and her daughter, Susan earned her LPN degree from Northampton Community College in 1972. She began her professional journey at Pocono Hospital, where she served with dedication for many years. Her career later took her to Glen Gardner Psychiatric Center in New Jersey, where she continued to provide compassionate care as an LPN.
In pursuit of furthering her education and expanding her ability to serve others, Susan relocated to Florida and earned her RN degree from St. Petersburg College in 1991. She worked in the ICU at Palms of Pasadena Hospital from 1992 to 1999, then Northside Hospital until 2003. In 2004, she moved to Tennessee to begin building her retirement home nestled in the mountains she loved so dearly. Even then, Susan continued working—first at Johnson City Medical Center until 2006, then Blount Memorial until 2009, and finally Fort Sanders Medical Center in Knoxville until 2011.
When family needs called her to Ringling, Oklahoma, Susan answered without hesitation. She worked at Duncan Regional Medical Center until retiring in 2013, and returning once more to Tennessee—the place that brought her peace and joy. Over the course of a remarkable 45-year career in nursing, Susan touched countless lives with her skillful hands and generous heart.
Susan is survived by her loving husband, Michael G. DeBord; daughter Brenda Krautkremer (Michael); granddaughter Kaitlyn, all of St. Petersburg, FL; stepdaughters Tiffany Shepherd (Chris) of St. Petersburg, FL, Brandy Everett of Fargo, ND, and Jenna Austin (Matt) of Clinton, IA; brother Edward Rising (Peggy), Slateford, PA; as well as several nieces, nephews, and step-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her two sisters, Mary Merkle and Fern Roberts.
Outside of work, Susan found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She was an avid reader who loved crosswords, sailing and cooking delicious meals for those around her. From the comfort of her mountain home, she delighted in watching the seasons change—a quiet reflection of the beauty she saw in everyday life. Susan was a devoted dog mom to Mr. Bojangles, "Bobo," and Dolly, and her canine soulmates Jack and Khaleesi. She was a woman of Christian faith and maintained a strong relationship with Jesus during her life.
Susan’s legacy is one of strength, compassion, perseverance, and love—a life lived fully through service to others and devotion to God and family.
May her memory bring comfort to those who knew and loved her.
No services are planned at Susan’s request. Cremation services provided by Biereley-Hale, Tellico Plains, TN.
Born on June 13, 1948, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Susan was the daughter of Ruth Louise (Warren) and Leo Rising. She grew up in Pennsylvania and graduated from Bangor Area Senior High School in 1966. Inspired by her childhood experiences working alongside her mother at Bartow Nursing Home in Portland, PA, Susan discovered her passion for nursing at a young age. Her mother's influence helped shape her lifelong calling to care for others.
As a single parent determined to build a better future for herself and her daughter, Susan earned her LPN degree from Northampton Community College in 1972. She began her professional journey at Pocono Hospital, where she served with dedication for many years. Her career later took her to Glen Gardner Psychiatric Center in New Jersey, where she continued to provide compassionate care as an LPN.
In pursuit of furthering her education and expanding her ability to serve others, Susan relocated to Florida and earned her RN degree from St. Petersburg College in 1991. She worked in the ICU at Palms of Pasadena Hospital from 1992 to 1999, then Northside Hospital until 2003. In 2004, she moved to Tennessee to begin building her retirement home nestled in the mountains she loved so dearly. Even then, Susan continued working—first at Johnson City Medical Center until 2006, then Blount Memorial until 2009, and finally Fort Sanders Medical Center in Knoxville until 2011.
When family needs called her to Ringling, Oklahoma, Susan answered without hesitation. She worked at Duncan Regional Medical Center until retiring in 2013, and returning once more to Tennessee—the place that brought her peace and joy. Over the course of a remarkable 45-year career in nursing, Susan touched countless lives with her skillful hands and generous heart.
Susan is survived by her loving husband, Michael G. DeBord; daughter Brenda Krautkremer (Michael); granddaughter Kaitlyn, all of St. Petersburg, FL; stepdaughters Tiffany Shepherd (Chris) of St. Petersburg, FL, Brandy Everett of Fargo, ND, and Jenna Austin (Matt) of Clinton, IA; brother Edward Rising (Peggy), Slateford, PA; as well as several nieces, nephews, and step-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her two sisters, Mary Merkle and Fern Roberts.
Outside of work, Susan found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She was an avid reader who loved crosswords, sailing and cooking delicious meals for those around her. From the comfort of her mountain home, she delighted in watching the seasons change—a quiet reflection of the beauty she saw in everyday life. Susan was a devoted dog mom to Mr. Bojangles, "Bobo," and Dolly, and her canine soulmates Jack and Khaleesi. She was a woman of Christian faith and maintained a strong relationship with Jesus during her life.
Susan’s legacy is one of strength, compassion, perseverance, and love—a life lived fully through service to others and devotion to God and family.
May her memory bring comfort to those who knew and loved her.
No services are planned at Susan’s request. Cremation services provided by Biereley-Hale, Tellico Plains, TN.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Susan DeBord, please visit our flower store.
Susan DeBord's Guestbook
Visits: 581
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors