She transitioned on February 3, 2026.

Being a DC native, she attended Rudolph Elementary, John Tyler Elementary, Hines Junior High, and Coolidge Senior High, in which she graduated in 2002. Along the way she made special bonds and lifelong relationships with so many individuals. Debbie was a social butterfly, her favorite insect, yet so reserved. She had many hobbies such as dancing, shopping, vacationing, and entertaining but overall just spending time with family and friends. Her beautiful smile brightened every space she entered.

Many found solace in her gentle heart, nurturing spirit, willingness to always listen, and comforting presence which shaped her into becoming an exceptional mother in 2003. Her children D'Cari, Carlos, and Camry'n was the light of her life and she made sure they knew everything she did was to ensure they would have a amazing life. The relationship between Debbie and her children was unmatched and unbreakable, a bond that will live on forever.

She found joy and purpose in many things throughout her life, but her greatest pride was seeing her oldest two children attend prom and graduate from high school. Although life presented a major curveball she was excited to witness many more milestones with her children. She met her diagnosis with courage and grace triumphing over breast cancer but later faced her illness of Stage 4 metastatic cancer with dignity and faith.

Debbie began her professional career working in retail and then for DC Public Schools as a school bus attendant. In 2009, she started working for Dept. of Public Works advancing her career along the way. With so many years of service for DCPS and DPW she built meaningful relationships with those she worked alongside. Debbie relationships with her family, her closest friends, childhood friends, and neighbors will be cherish forever.

She is preceded in death by her great grandmother Carrie Hill, grandmother Lillie Ruff and grandfather George Perry,. She leaves to cherish in her memory, her two daughters D'Cari Ruff and Camry'n Cole, son Carlos A. Cole, mother Kim M. Harrod and step-father Michael Stackhouse, grandmother and grandfather Judy & Gregory Harrod, two sisters Taneika Ruff and Kimberly Harrod, five nieces Ramoni, Ramiya, Rameera, Ameeya, and Ayva, one and only nephew Nazir, father of her children Carlos Cole, godsons Jeremiah and Kody, and host of aunts, uncles, godmothers, family, and friends.