Debra S (Bayer) Smith

Debra S. Smith, age 71 of Canton, GA passed away peacefully at home on May 4, 2026. Debra was born March 15, 1955, in Granite City, Illinois. She was the daughter of Herbert and June Bayer and sister to Ron and Jim Bayer. Debra was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Debra was the beloved wife of Danny Smith; they shared 49 years of marriage. They met in Bible College in South Bend, Indiana and was married in August of 1977.

She is survived by her husband, Danny Smith, Son Jonathan (Michelle Bales Smith), daughter Crystal Garmon, grandchildren, Terry Daniel Garmon, Caleb Garmon, Tyler Garmon, Chloe Garmon, Alexis Kailani Leigh Carvalho. She also survived by several nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Herbert and June Bayer, brothers Ron Bayer and Jim Bayer.

Debra accepted the Lord Jesus as her Savior at the age of 10. Her parents raised her in church all of her life. Her Dad and brothers started building churches and Deb was an integral part of that in her teens. She was a deeply committed Christian always active in church ministry, singing, preaching and teaching. Debra truly had a servant’s heart to minister to people. Together Debra and Danny pastored Word of Life Family Church for thirteen years. Danny always said that Debra was a better pastor than he was. Debra loved to sing and worship God.

She loved her grandkids and would have done almost anything for them. She always wanted them to succeed in life and live a fulfilling life. Her greatest joy was hoping to see them serve the Lord.
Her son Jonathan said it best about his mother, “She was one of the sweetest women you would have ever meet. In fact, besides my dad, my sister, and myself you would have never known she was upset. In the end she wasn’t smiling as much, but we are convinced that she cared for everyone. She defiantly would put herself before anyone else, especially her family and friends. So instead of saying goodbye, we are going to say thank you Mom, thank you for showing us how to love. Thank you for always being optimistic and being a shoulder to cry on. Thank you for always believing in us even when we couldn’t believe in ourselves. Thank you for being just an amazing person, wife, mom and Nana. If you knew her you would know she showed her love with actions not only with words. This is why this is not a goodbye, because everything she showed us will continue to be a part of us and we can only hope we can show half the love and compassion she did, she is still part of us.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is a picture of Deb’s life.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails...

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday June 7, 2026 at 3:00pm, Big Springs Community Church, 2066 Sugar Pike Road, Woodstock, GA 30188. The family will receive friends at the church from 2:00pm until 3:00pm the day of the service.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Big Springs Community Church.

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Scott Huskins Funeral & Cremation Services is in charge of the arrangements. 678.771.5566 | scotthuskins.com

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