Debra Lynn Osborne

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Debra Lynn Swinnie Osborne, age 63, of Gary, West Virginia, who passed away at her home on December 13, 2025.

Debra was born on March 23, 1962, in Columbus, Ohio. She was the daughter of the late Willie Junior Swinnie and Edith Mae Lambert Swinnie. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Irvin “Pete” Osborne, and her son-in-law, Joey Ray Bennett, Sr. Debra was a cherished mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved her family dearly.

Those left to cherish her memory include her brother, William “Tank” Swinnie, and his wife Donna, of Dayton, Ohio; and her four daughters: Rebecca Bennett of Gary, WV; Augusta and Matthew Ward of Youngstown, Ohio; Jessica Swinnie of Columbus, Ohio; and Ashley Tabor and her husband Jason of Northfork, WV. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Joey Bennett, (Jessica), Joi Perdue (Zachery), Haleigh Diaz(Jayson), Janie Hoessli (Jacob), Michael Hoessli, Katlyn Ward, Erin Hoessli (Joseph), Jaidon Bennett, and Isabella Tabor. She is further survived by four great-grandchildren: Jaxton Perdue, Ayden Justice, Nolan Bill, and Ashton Perdue, with one great-grandchild on the way. Debra also leaves behind a very special bonus daughter, whom she loved as her own, Brenda Kay Holland/Brock, of Dayton, Ohio.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, December 20, at 10:00 a.m., at Woodlawn Cemetery in Bluewell, West Virginia, with Nicholas Marrs officiating. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Donations and condolences may be made through Cravens-Shires Funeral Home.

Below is a poem written in loving memory by her granddaughter, Haleigh.

God looked around His garden

And found an empty space.

He looked to earth where He saw your tired face.

He put His hands around you

And lifted you to rest.

God’s garden must be so beautiful,

He always takes the best.

He knew your sorrows,

He knew your pain.

He knew that you would never get better

Where you stand.

He saw the road was getting rough,

And the hills were hard to climb,

So He closed your precious eyes

And whispered, “Peace be thine.”

It broke our hearts to lose you,

But you didn’t go alone;

For part of us went with you

The day God called you home.