Deborah Jane “Debby” Fleming, age 80, of Columbus and formerly of the Tuscarawas Valley, died unexpectedly, Sunday, September 20, 2026, while in Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital.

Born on August 22, 1946, in Union Hospital at Dover, Debby was the daughter of the late Delbert and Margaret Jane Lyons Phillips. She was a 1964 graduate of New Philadelphia High School and continued her studies at Bowling Green where she earned her Bachelor in Speech Pathology. She went on to obtain her Master’s in Speech and Language Pathology from Kent State University.

After receiving her undergrad, Debby began working for the Tuscarawas Educational Service Center and later went on to work for Tusky Valley and Dover City Schools as a Speech Pathologist. When She and her husband, Bob, relocated to the Columbus area, Debby worked as a Student Services Coordinator for the Reynoldsburg Schools where she rounded out her three-plus decade career in education. Debby gave of herself wholeheartedly, always taking the time to listen, encourage, and help others find their own way. Her work was more than a career; it was a reflection of the compassion and genuine care she carried into every part of her life.

Debby was affectionately known as the “Hostess of Happy Hour,” taking great delight in preparing special treats and cocktails for family and friends who stopped by for a visit. She loved being surrounded by people and making others feel welcome. She enjoyed cooking and trying new recipes, as well as staying active through walking and yoga. Traveling with family and friends was among her greatest joys, including the special Christmas tradition of spending the holidays in Key West, Florida. A lover of the fine arts, Debby cherished music, musicals, dancing, and attending the theatre. Above all, Debby’s greatest joy was sharing life with those she loved, creating memories and filling every gathering with warmth, laughter, and a little something special.

She will be deeply missed by her family which includes her daughter, Elizabeth (husband, David Krall) of Cleveland; her beloved twin granddaughters, Emma and Ella Krall; her brother, Steve (Carla) Phillips, of Chillicothe, Ohio; sisters-in-law, Vickie Fleming, of Medina, Ohio, and Susan (John) Davis of New Philadelphia, and her companion Rodney Greenfield of Urbana, Ohio.

Two nephews, Matt (Nikki) Phillips, and Michael Davis; two nieces, Stephanie (Tim) Lampley, Amy (Greg) Scheiwiller; great-nephews, Brendan, Brodie, and Phillips; and a great-niece Lucy Lampley complete the family.

In addition to her parents Debby was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, whom she married on December 27, 1969, and died on May 12, 2008, and a brother-in-law, William R. Fleming, Jr.

The family will greet guests on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 11:30 – 1:30 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia where Pastor Brian Flood will lead a service celebrating Debby’s life in the funeral home’s chapel beginning at 1:30 PM. Burial will follow in the East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia.