Debra Lee Rider-Smith

Debra Lee Rider-Smith, 59, formerly of Nevada, Mo., passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2020, in her home in Independence, Mo., following an illness. She was born on July 4, 1960, in Nevada, Mo., to Lovell Glen Rider and Edith Mae Rider. She married Dennis L. Smith on Jan. 1, 1994, in Deerfield, Mo.

Debra attended high school in Nevada, Mo., then transferred to Walker, Mo.

She’s lived in the Independence, Nevada, and La Plata, Mo., areas over the course of her life. Sewing was her favorite hobby. She was an amazing seamstress. Debra also drove a school bus in both Nevada and Independence, Mo.; and later a semi with her husband, traveling all over the United States. For the past 20+ years, she’s been a caregiver to her husband who is a disabled Vietnam veteran.

Survivors include her husband, Dennis, Independence, Mo.; two children, Amy Hensley-Schiff, Kansas City, Mo., and Bruce Hensley Jr, Nevada, Mo.; stepson, James Smith, Nevada, Mo.; six grandchildren, Sidney Duvall, Milan, Mo., Gage Duvall, Kansas City, Mo., Bryce Hensley, Brynn Hensley, Bryker Hensley, Brystol Hensley, all of Nevada, Mo; and two half-siblings, Brenda Quackenbush and Steve Rider, both of Louisiana. She was preceded in death by her half-sister, Elaine Hudson, Holt, Mo., Mike Rider, Louisiana, and her parents, Glen and Edith Rider.

Debra will be laid to rest in the Higginsville State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Mo. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.