Debra Joy Frankel

Born January 27, 1960, in New York, New York to Barry and Carol Schack, Debra was the daughter of the late Schack family and grew up in both New York and Columbia, South Carolina.

Debra had a lifelong passion for children and early childhood education. She devoted much of her professional life to caring for and teaching young children, working as both a preschool teacher and preschool owner. Her nurturing spirit came naturally, and throughout her life she was known for being kind, giving, loving, empathetic, sympathetic, outgoing, friendly, and always ready for a conversation.

While Debra found great purpose in her work, nothing brought her more joy than being “GMA” to her eight grandchildren. Avery, Anders, Lila, Ian, Evelyn, Kyra, Soren, and Luca were truly the center of her world. She loved spending time with them, spoiling them, celebrating them, and being involved in their lives in every way she could. Of all the roles Debra held throughout her life, being their GMA was the one she treasured most.

Debra also enjoyed fashion, makeup, jewelry, and shopping and had a special appreciation for trips to some of her favorite places, including Key West, Florida, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She was also a proud dog mom to Jax and proudly embraced her role as “dog GMA” to several beloved four-legged members of the family.

She is survived by her loving husband, Bruce Frankel; her children, Matthew Frankel and his wife, Kathy, Andrew Frankel and his wife, Brittany, and Jessica Helle and her husband, Rob; her eight beloved grandchildren, Avery, Anders, Lila, Ian, Evelyn, Kyra, Soren, and Luca; and her brother, Steven Schack and his husband George.

A Celebration of Debra’s Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel. A reception will immediately follow in the Dunbar Tribute Room.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation in Debra’s memory.