Debra L. Smith Rolando, 48, of East Hartford, was lovingly embraced by God on Monday (September 6, 1999) after a brave battle with cancer. Born in Norfolk, VA on August 14, 1951 to Rabbi L. Gideon Smith and Esther U. (Parker) Smith, she was educated in both Virginia and Connecticut school systems, graduating from Weaver High School in 1970. She was employed by CIGNA over 20 years, Herbalife Int'l and the Visiting Nurses Association. She was a lifelong member of the Church of God and Saints of Christ and held the position of Mother Sarah, Mother of the Church. Besides her parents, she is survived by her caring former husband of 23 years, Raymond; their children, Michael and his wife Giorgiana; Anthony and his fiancee Alyson and her loving daughter, Christina; her divine grandchildren, Michael, Michaela and Michon; her sisters, Kathleen Lewis and her husband James and their children, Sandra, Jason and Joseph of Hartford; Gloria Walker and her husband Brandon and their children Brittney, Breonna and BJ (Brandon) Jr., of Bloomfield; Kim and son Isaiah of Windsor; Toni (Keturah) of Windsor who dedicated her unconditional loving care for the last year of Deb's life and stayed by her side until the end; her brothers, Lloyd and his wife Pam and their children, Dawn, Heather, Lloyd, Jr. and Joshua; Marcus and his wife Kim and their children, Keturah and Malcolm of Maine; two special aunts, Ruth Roberts of New York; and Beatrice Parker of Maryland; special-in-laws, Norma and Angelo Rolando, and Diane and Angela, all of Rocky Hill; John, Claire and their children, John and Mike of Vernon; a devoted friend, Denyse Bailey and a host of family and friends. Funeral services will be held Monday, Sept. 13, 1999 at 10 a.m. from the Mount Olive Baptist Church, 20 Battles St., Hartford. Burial will follow at the Cedar Hill Cemetery, 453 Fairfield Avenue, Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home, 444 Farmington Avenue, New Britain, on Sunday, Sept. 12, 1999, 5-8 p.m. At the request of the family, contributions may be made to the Hartford Hospital, Hospice (CB4 Palliative Care), 80 Seymour St., Hartford, 06102.