Deborah Collins

Deborah Collins, born September 19, 1950, departed this life on her 73rd birthday surrounded by her loving family. Deborah, known to some as Debbie, but known to most as Mom or Mema, was born in McKenzie, Alabama to the late Rawden and Dorothy Cooper.

Debbie graduated from R.B. Stall High School in North Charleston, SC in 1968. Shortly after graduating high school, she met her first husband, Charles Frederick Frick, of Charleston, a widower with four children…the oldest of which recently nicknamed them the OGs. Debbie married Charles in January of 1970. Just a short year later they grew their family by one…and then two more….and three years later, in 1975, their large family was complete when their eighth child was born.

Debbie attended the Baptist College of Charleston for a short time, and then chose to devote her time to raising her children. She went back to college and completed her teaching degree at Georgia Southwestern College. She taught for a few years in Albany, Georgia before the family moved back to the Charleston area, at which time, she began her 23-year tenure at Ladson Elementary School. She was beloved by her students and co-workers. She was instrumental in bringing a choral program to Ladson Elementary. Many students fondly remember the year of poodle skirts and greaser shirts. She later obtained her Master of Education from Charleston Southern University.

After suddenly losing her husband, Charles, in 1992, Debbie reconnected with a high school classmate at their 25th class reunion. She married Larry “Smiley” Collins in July of 1995 and gained the love of his two children. Debbie and Larry shared 18 years of marriage together. During this time, the family grew by leaps and bounds, and in December 2012, she retired from the Charleston County School District. After Larry’s death, Deborah devoted herself to caring for her mother.

She loved bowling, singing karaoke, spending time with her family, and for over four decades she was a devoted member, and for a time was a director, of various Sweet Adeline chapters in the Southeast.

In her latter years, she met and married Martin Smith, who became a devoted companion to Deborah until her death. They enjoyed attending various activities of their grandchildren, travelling together, eating out at various restaurants, and just generally spending time together. Martin was instrumental in caring for Deborah during her brief illness.

Deborah is survived by her husband, Martin Smith, her children: Charles Frick, Jr. (Donna) of Grovetown, GA; Carolyn McDonald (James) of Norfolk, VA; William Frick (Michele) of Bonneau, SC; David Frick of Goose Creek, SC; Robert Frick (Tina) of Summerville, SC; Kateena Joubert (Andrae) of St. Marys, GA; Sabreena Arnold (Steve) of Fairmount, GA; Betsy Gaskins (Scott) of Ridgeville, SC; Missi Anderson (Luke) of Goose Creek, SC; Jimmy Collins (Kim) of Ladson, SC. She is also survived by a multitude of grandchildren, and great grandchildren as well as her brothers, Van Cooper (Delores) of Bonneau, SC and Ronnie Cooper (Diane) of North Charleston, SC. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Charles (d. 1992), her second husband, Larry (d. 2014), as well as her parents.

A visitation at Carolina Memorial Funeral Home for Deborah will be held Thursday, September 21, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A funeral service at Deer Park Baptist Church, located at 8875 Old University Blvd will be held on Friday, September 22, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The interment will follow at Carolina Memorial Gardens located at, 7113 Rivers Avenue North Charleston, SC 29406 on Friday.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Deborah's memory to either MUSC Hollings Cancer Center at: https://hollingscancercenter.musc.edu/giving

Or please make a donation to the Deer Park Baptist Church at:

https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=143686

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.carolinamemorial.com for the Collins family.