Deborah June Smiley

Deborah Bakan was born on August 12, 1955 in Glendale, California to Theodore and June Bakan. She spent most of her growing up years in California, with the exception of four years in Washington State, after which her family moved back to California.

Deborah graduated from Covina High School in Covina, California in 1974, and went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree from Azusa Pacific University. She then went on to earn her Masters degree in Christian Education from Talbot School of Theology in LaMirada, California. In more recent years she earned a Masters degree in Social work. Following her graduation from Talbot, Deborah married Donald Smiley and, in the early years of their marriage, she started her own business, which lasted a few years. Following that she and Donald moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where she resided until her death. For most of her years in Arizona, she was involved in church ministry.

Deborah is survived by her brother, Rev. Gordon (Janis) Bakan and their two daughters, Brittany and Tiffany, several aunts and uncles and numerous cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Smiley, her parents, Ted and June Bakan, her grandparents, and several other relatives. Deborah will be buried with her husband, Donald, at National Cemetery in Phoenix, Arizona.