Deborah Ilene Smith Sylvest

Deborah Ilene Smith, 70, resident of Denham springs, passed away peacefully on November 1st, 2025 at 4:19 PM with her family by her side. She had been suffering with stage 4 terminal breast and lung cancer for a year. Most know her as Debbie, she never met a stranger. She was born in Mc Comb, MS to her parents Billie Frank Smith and Arey Anne Brock Smith on February 17th, 1955. 

On October 19, 1973 Debbie met the love of her life at the Washington Parish fair in Franklinton, LA. It was love at first sight. Within a few months they were married on December 22, 1973 at Centerville Baptist church in Tylertown, MS. They were together for 51 years. Her husband Howard Ray Sylvest and her loved traveling to the Smokey mountains in Ozark Arkansas. 

She had only one daughter, Rachel Ilene Sylvest Kennedy (James), a grandmother (mawmaw) leaving behind her grandchildren Brianna Nicole Kennedy and Cameron Eddie Alexander Revelle. Debbie also leaves behind her brother Steve Smith of Tylertown, MS and numerous friends and family. 

Debbie loved her greenhouse and the camp Howard Sylvest built for her many years ago. Debbie with her bestfriend’s and love of her life worked together at Broadmore Baptist Church (custodians) of Baton Rouge. They were also owners of D & H home and office cleaning where they worked at the D.S.P.D and the city of Denham Springs for many years cleaning the buildings and floors at the City Hall.