Yerington NV – July 12, 2026
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
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