John Calvin Commentary Genesis 35:8

"And Deborah Rebekah`s nurse died, and she was buried below Beth-el under the oak: and the name of it was called Allon-bacuth." — Genesis 35:8 (ASV)

But Deborah, Rebecca’s nurse, died. Here is inserted a short narration of the death of Deborah, whom we may conclude was a holy matron, and whom Jacob's family venerated as a mother. For the name given permanently to the place testifies that she was buried with special honor and with uncommon mourning. Shortly afterward, the death and burial of Rachel are to be recorded; yet Moses does not say that any sign of mourning for Deborah was transmitted to posterity. Therefore, it is probable that she was regarded by all as a grandmother.

But it may be asked how she then happened to be in Jacob’s company, since he had not yet come to his father, and her age as a decrepit old woman rendered her unfit for so long a journey.

Some interpreters imagine that she had been sent by Rebecca to meet her son Jacob, but I do not see what probability there is in this conjecture. Nor do I yet have anything certain to affirm, except that perhaps she had loved Jacob since he was a boy because she had nursed him; and when she learned the cause of his exile, she followed him out of her regard for religion. Certainly, Moses does not celebrate her death in vain with a eulogy so remarkable.