Debora Denise Ross Smith was born to Howard and Mary Austin on September 23, 1956, in Cleveland, Ohio. Debora graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1973 with honors. After high school, Debora worked at a local daycare center and a grocery store. In 1977, she started what would become a 10-year career with TRW in the Cleveland Automotive Plant. She then went on to work for National City Bank as a teller. Thanks to the fabulous Mrs. Arnetta Moore, Debora started her career with East Ohio on Oct 1, 1988. She started as a meter reader and then moved on to work in gas monitoring and, most recently, the dispatch department. Debora enjoyed an outstanding career at East Ohio / Dominion East Ohio for 28 years. She relished the bonds and fellowship with her coworkers, from the union meetings to the Dominion Nights with the Cleveland Indians and Cavaliers or the company outings to Geauga Lake. Even in retirement, those relationships built on the job continued.

Debora was a fantastic daughter, sister, mother, and grandmother. Her family was everything to her, and she was the backbone of the family. Debora was always ready to support and help her family with just one call; no matter where or what was needed, she would find a way. In retirement, she loved spending time with her mother, Mary, whether cooking at home, spending time at the casino, or eating out together. She was also a huge sports fan, always watching college football and basketball, the NBA, and the NFL. As a season ticket holder of the Cleveland Cavaliers, she would enjoy going to games with her brother Duke, son Paul, and her grandsons Jaden and Kenson. She also enjoyed reading and traveling, especially her trips to Toledo to spend time with family. One of her fondest memories was a family vacation to Walt Disney World, the happiest on earth.

Debora was preceded in death by her father, Howard Austin, brothers, Donald Austin and Dennis Austin. She leaves to celebrate her life, her son Paul Glendis Ross III (Alisha); two grandchildren, Jaden Derrick-Anthony Bridgett, and Kenson Donald-Jayce Ross; Mother, Mary Austin; two brothers, Anthony Austin (Sabrina) and Dwayne Austin; and a host of nephews, nieces, family, and friends.