Deborah Jo Smart

Deborah Jo Smart, 72, of Chillicothe, passed away into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Southern Ohio Medical Center Hospice, Portsmouth. She was born on Saturday, February 16, 1952, in Portsmouth, a daughter of the late Donald and Doris Fannin. Debbie grew up in the small town of New Boston, Ohio. She was joined in marriage with Harold "Joe" Smart on April 15, 1978, in Portsmouth, Ohio.

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. She is also survived by her sisters: Phyllis Thoroughman of Portsmouth, Sandra (Steve) Tyree of West Liberty, KY, Colleen (Robert) Payton of Sandy Hook, KY and brothers: Donald (Tina) Fannin and Danny (Stephanie) Fannin of West Liberty, KY, her brothers-in-law: Ron Neal of Wheelersburg, OH, John Smart (Nancy) of Chillicothe, George (Kathleen) Smart of Marysville, OH, sister-in-law: Betty Morgan of Frankfort, OH, 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 nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.

Debbie was preceeded in death by mother Doris Fannin, her father, Donald Fannin, her step-mother, 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.

Debbie was a 1970 graduate of Glenwood High School in New Boston, OH. She worked for Custom Carpet Company in Portsmouth, and she retired from the Kroger Company in Chillicothe. Her favorite past time 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.

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 at the EBRIGHT FUNERAL HOME, Frankfort on Monday, June 10, 2024, at 1 p.m. with Pastor Ben Liston officiating. Following the service, Debbie will be laid to rest in Greenlawn Cemetery, Frankfort. The family will receive guest at the funeral home on Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to the funeral service. Those who wish to share a memory of Debbie may do so by signing her online register.