Deboraha Gaines-Fuller, age 70, of Gladwin, Michigan, passed away peacefully at Valley Medical Center in Renton, Washington, on May 18th, 2024, due to natural causes. In her early years, her family moved around as her father served in the U.S. Army before settling in Gladwin, MI. She graduated from Gladwin High School in 1971 and Michigan State University in 1975 specializing in education. Deb served the community in teaching positions and as a basketball coach. After marrying John Marks Fuller Jr. in 1979, she worked as a taxi cab driver then handicap bus driver before retiring as a road supervisor from the suburban Detroit public transportation service (SMART) in late 2005. Deb was bold, selfless, proud and outspoken. She gleefully enjoyed fried chicken and fresh iced tea. Her hobbies included proudly rooting on her beloved Michigan State Spartans, bowling, 60/70’s music, watching Hallmark movies, and she loved spending time with family and friends at the nearest casino. Her life revolved around influencing youths through community initiatives and providing a better life for those she loved. She demanded high standards while selflessly raising her kids, niece, and nephew and was proud of each of them. Her life’s goal of providing them with love, and the stability that she lacked in her childhood was realized. In her later years, Deb focused her efforts on spending quality time on her beloved grandchildren.

Deb leaves behind her children Michael, Dana (wife Deborah) and Nichole along with her grandchildren Christopher, Mikayla, Joseph, Kahlan, Maya, John and Mary. She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Shirley, her former spouse, her siblings, and heartbreakingly her niece Kathy and nephew Patrick, whom she raised and loved like her own children. Cremation services are being conducted at Cady Funeral Home in Kent, WA and she will be laid to rest at Glenwood Cemetery in Wayne, MI. A small celebration of life will be held at Whitmore Lake, MI on June 22nd, 2024.