Debra Marie Smith, 55, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away February 15, 2019 at her home after a lengthy illness.
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, she resided in Fernandina Beach for the past 11 years, having moved from Louisiana. She graduated from Freedom High School in Easton, Pa. and received her A.A. degree in finance from Lamar Salter Technical College in Louisiana. Debra was a veteran of the U.S. Army. She went to Iraq serving as a contractor from 2004 to 2008, and that is where she met her husband Michael, also a U.S. Army veteran. While in Iraq, she also started her own business, DB Enterprises, which she operated from 2004 to 2012. She was an adventurer who loved to travel anywhere on a whim. She traveled to Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, and Dubai for both business and pleasure. She loved her family, especially her four grandchildren. She also cherished her friendships and had a deep love for her two dogs, Lily and Bentley, which were always by her side. Debra loved sailing, golfing, interior design, and especially loved staying home and being a wife. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 54, the American Legion Post 54 Riders, and a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 25, 2019 at Northampton Memorial Shrine at 3051 Green Pond Road in Easton, Pa. with visitation from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Ashton Funeral Home, located at 1337 Northampton St. in Easton.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Nancy R. Ackerman.
She is survived by her husband, Michael J. Smith of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; father, Joseph P. Ackerman, and stepmother, Gloria Ackerman, of North Fort Myers, Fla.; stepdaughter, Michelle E. Carmichael of Baker, Fla.; sisters, Teri Whittaker of Marshalls Creek, Pa. and Dawn Corpora of Easton; brothers, Joseph Ackerman of Shelby, Mont. and Russell Ackerman of Easton; grandsons, Jason Smith, Damien “DJ” Carmichael, and James Wyatt Neisler; and granddaughter, Katherine Neisler.
St. Johns Family Funeral Home