Deborah Rippey

Deborah Armetta Rippey, passionately known as DeeDee, was born October 23, 1974 in Columbus, Ohio. She received her Heavenly Wings on November 20, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. She was preceded in death by her father, William Rippey, step-Dad, Clarence Williams, sister, Brandi Williams, grandmothers, Mary Dalton and Armetta Smith, her aunt and uncle Alice Faye and Scott Cardwell and sister/cousin Tisha Rippey.

She was a proud graduate of CAHS and Southeast Career Center where she studied accounting and went on to work at various entities throughout the city, inclusive is DFAS, Huntington National Bank, JP Morgan Chase Bank, State of Ohio and the Columbus City Schools. After becoming an ovarian cancer survivor (13 years) she became an active advocate with the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Ohio, where she participated in many Walk-A-Thons, volunteering, community outreach events and other functions to include her most favorite event, Designer Bag Bingo. There was various organizations that she was affiliated with, including, but not limited to, At the Table Organization, where she served on their board as Treasurer and was also active in many fashion shows, podcasts, Walk-a-Thons and fundraisers; actively involved with the T.H.R.I.V.E program that provided mentorship to female youth at Mifflin High School; a member of the Central Ohio Parent Leadership Training Institute. She has been a Family Ambassador for City of Columbus Schools since her children attended Marion Franklin High School, where she acted as liaison for schools and parents. She was also active with the Empower Our Youth Foundation that educated parents, students, and educators about bullying. She assisted and associated with so many affiliations and people there’s probably some missing, because a simple “ask” is all it took to motivate her to devote her time and effort. Her heart was big and pure as gold. She was most memorable for her lively essence, fashion sense and a smile that was as bright as sunshine, it would light up any room, even on a rainy day and sometimes a roar, if you pushed that “attitude” button.

Above all the jobs of her career her most proudest career was that of a Mother and Grandmother, where she excelled above and beyond at both, from instilling the word of God and the importance of education, while encouraging them all to walk in faith to learning the latest TikTok dances with her grandchildren to transporting them to make sure they were in attendance to any school, family or friends event, while also most recently helping to promoting her son’s business. Everything that she did was done with Pride, Dignity, Loyalty, Faith and Above all Love.

She walked in her Faith as an active member of Mt Carmel Worship Center, where she also served on various ministries, from assisting in the office, youth ministries, to speaking at harvest festivals, to managing the various produce giveaway events within the community. Organization was her greatest attribute, she prided herself in her organizational skills whether it was at home, work or on a committee. She was a vibrant soul and treated everyone she met like family, whether they were blood or not, if she met you, she loved you, you were family!

She leaves to cherish her memory her mother, Kathy Cardwell, children, O’Sheaynna Rippey-White and Donte Rippey-Young (Paradise), her beloved grandchildren, Robreaynna and Roshanara Trinity, her sisters Tia Williams-Hayes (Chris), Trina Thompson and Rebecca Shaw, brothers, Simon Wallace, William Rippey , Manu Scott (Toni), Sam Rippey (Ana), James Thomas Rippey, Randy Rippey, Jimmy Rippey, James Rippey and Andre Carr. Her Favorite Uncle Simon Cardwell, her name sake, Aunt Deborah Rippey, her godchildren, Shawnese Allie, Chad Mills, Jr. (cousin) Tiara Mateen, Alamonte’ Williams-Jeter (nephew), Alexus Straughter, Christopher Hayes II (nephew), Charles Mills (cousin), her sister/cousins Toya Williams and Nicole Allen, her other sister/sidekick, Lil 5 aka, TomRhonda Mills and an abundant host of relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held, December 10, 2022 at Mt. Carmel Worship Center, 2182 Courtright Rd, Columbus, OH, family will receive friends at 10:00am and the service will start promptly at 11:00am. Flowers may be sent to Mt. Carmel Worship Center or you may make a donation to the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Ohio in Deborah’s name.