Deborah "Debbie" Smith Tynes

Debbie passed at her home late in the evening of Friday, October 6, 2023, while surrounded by her children and grandchildren after a decade of thriving despite a very young diagnosis of early-onset dementia.

She graduated from Poplarville High School as a member of the Class of 1969 where she was proud to have been a cheerleader. She married the love of her life, Bennie Tynes, on April 2nd, 1971, and worked at various local businesses before accepting her greatest role as a stay-at-home wife and mother in 1975. She was a dedicated mother and extremely active in her children's activities and school projects, never missing a game or recital, baking sweets and making crafts for school parties, and sewing costumes for events and holidays whenever needed. She devoted 16 years of her life to working full-time for her family before accepting a customer service representative position with her sister, Sherry, at Alfa Insurance from which she later retired. Each morning began with grabbing the first of her multiple daily Route 44 sweet teas from Sonic on the way to work, and each day ended with working in her prized garden to relax.

Debbie loved shopping and spoiling her children and grandchildren, because nothing was more important to her than her family. Her six granddaughters were the light of her life, and she made sure they knew it; they definitely never heard the word "no" from their Nan. She was our "Miss Fancy Pants" because there wasn't a day she went without red lipstick and red nail polish. She also loved to cook for her family and enjoyed passing on her recipes to her daughter, daughters-in-law, and granddaughters.

She was preceded in death by her husband: Bennie Tynes; parents: Orvan Smith and Iona Smith; and brother-in-law: Pat Morris.

Debbie is survived by her two sons: Jeremy Tynes (Christa) and Josh Tynes (Sommer); one daughter: Angela Usé (Beckett); one brother: Wayne Smith (Betty); one sister: Sherry Morris; six cherished granddaughters: Alexis Tynes Stogner, Haegan Tynes (fiancé Abram), Haley Tynes, Lily Tynes, Hattie Tynes, and Harper Tynes; one great-grandson: Leonard Stogner; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Debbie’s six granddaughters will have the honor of serving as her pallbearers, with assistance from cousin Derek Beall and longtime family friend Todd Smith.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Angela Jones for her wonderful care and support throughout the years following Debbie's diagnosis, and also the team at Solace Hospice in Poplarville, MS for their tremendous care that helped make the continuity of caring for her at home that much easier, specifically her beloved nurse, Ashlee Ladner and her dedicated social worker, Debbie Wagner.

Additionally, since Debbie always wore the most beautiful jewel tones, it is requested but not required that colorful attire be worn to the service. She was always smiling and laughing, and we would like to honor her bright and colorful memory.

Family and friends are invited to attend Debbie's funeral service on Monday, October 9, 2023 at Juniper Grove Baptist Church, 289 Juniper Grove Road, Poplarville, Mississippi for 12:00 pm. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at Juniper Grove Cemetery.