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Debra Jean Howard
<p>Debra J. Howard passed away unexpectedly on Friday evening, July 3, 2026, at Renown </p><p>Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada. She was 65.</p><p>Debby was born in Yerington, Nevada, on May 14, 1961, to Gene and Emily Smith. She was </p><p>the fifth of six children.</p><p>A lifelong resident of Yerington, Debby graduated from Yerington High School in 1979. She </p><p>was a familiar face in the community through her work at the family-owned Sears Catalog </p><p>store, the Anaconda Mine (Arimetco), and the United States Postal Service. At the time of </p><p>her passing, she was employed by Papé Machinery, which is formally Renner Equipment.</p><p>On December 24, 1982, Debby married her late husband, Buddy Howard, in Lake Tahoe. In </p><p>1996, Buddy and Debby welcomed their daughter, Kelsey. Debby’s greatest </p><p>accomplishment was becoming a Mee-maw; her grandchildren, Maci and Marcus, were </p><p>the true heartbeat of her life.</p><p>Debby is survived by her daughter, Kelsey Corona (Tito), her beloved grandchildren; Maci & </p><p>Marcus Corona, her mother & Father; Emily & Gene Smith, her sister Patty Gunn (Scott), </p><p>brothers; Larry Smith, Mike Smith (Eva) & David Smith, along with numerous nieces & </p><p>nephews. </p><p>She was preceded in death by her husband, Buddy Howard; her brother, Ron Smith; her </p><p>sister-in-law, Becky Smith; and her grandparents, Itala and John Bianchini.</p><p>A rosary will be held on Friday, July 31st, 2026, at 6:00 PM, and a memorial mass will be </p><p>held on Saturday, August 1st, 2026, at 12:30 PM. Both services will take place at the Holy </p><p>Family Catholic Church, 103 N. West St., Yerington, NV. A fellowship will follow the mass </p><p>on August 1st, 2026 at the Holy Family Catholic Church Hall.</p><p>Arrangements are being handled by Walton's Funerals & Cremations - Sierra Chapel. </p><p>Family and friends may sign Debby’s online Tribute Wall and share memories by visiting her </p><p>memorial page on the Walton's website at waltonsfuneralhomes.com</p>May 14, 1961 - July 3, 202605/14/196107/03/2026
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Debra Jean Howard
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