Debra J. Howard passed away unexpectedly on Friday evening, July 3, 2026, at Renown

Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada. She was 65.

Debby was born in Yerington, Nevada, on May 14, 1961, to Gene and Emily Smith. She was

the fifth of six children.

A lifelong resident of Yerington, Debby graduated from Yerington High School in 1979. She

was a familiar face in the community through her work at the family-owned Sears Catalog

store, the Anaconda Mine (Arimetco), and the United States Postal Service. At the time of

her passing, she was employed by Papé Machinery, which is formally Renner Equipment.

On December 24, 1982, Debby married her late husband, Buddy Howard, in Lake Tahoe. In

1996, Buddy and Debby welcomed their daughter, Kelsey. Debby’s greatest

accomplishment was becoming a Mee-maw; her grandchildren, Maci and Marcus, were

the true heartbeat of her life.

Debby is survived by her daughter, Kelsey Corona (Tito), her beloved grandchildren; Maci &

Marcus Corona, her mother & Father; Emily & Gene Smith, her sister Patty Gunn (Scott),

brothers; Larry Smith, Mike Smith (Eva) & David Smith, along with numerous nieces &

nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Buddy Howard; her brother, Ron Smith; her

sister-in-law, Becky Smith; and her grandparents, Itala and John Bianchini.

A rosary will be held on Friday, July 31st, 2026, at 6:00 PM, and a memorial mass will be

held on Saturday, August 1st, 2026, at 12:30 PM. Both services will take place at the Holy

Family Catholic Church, 103 N. West St., Yerington, NV. A fellowship will follow the mass

on August 1st, 2026 at the Holy Family Catholic Church Hall.

Arrangements are being handled by Walton's Funerals & Cremations - Sierra Chapel.

Family and friends may sign Debby’s online Tribute Wall and share memories by visiting her

memorial page on the Walton's website at waltonsfuneralhomes.com