Debbie Gail Dorn, 68, resident of 707 Bryan Dorn Road, passed away at her home in Greenwood on July 13, 2024.
Debbie was born on July 21, 1955, in Washington, DC. She graduated from Greenwood High School and the University of South Carolina. In the decades that followed, Debbie enjoyed great success as a political consultant and activist. She served as a campaign consultant and advisor to congressmen, members of the South Carolina General Assembly, and the South Carolina Democratic Party. She was the long-time chairwoman of the Anderson County Democratic Party. She twice ran for the United States Congress. In 1996, she was the Democratic Nominee for the 3rd Congressional District, unsuccessfully opposing now U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham. She represented South Carolina at the 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, and 2000 Democratic National Conventions. She believed in freedom and democracy and was a fervent supporter of the American worker and their family. Debbie was a realtor and spent the second half of her career helping homeowners as an agent at Coldwell Banker in Anderson, South Carolina. She was a respected friend, co-worker, and community leader.
Debbie was an amazing grandmother to her three young grandchildren, Jack, Jennings, and June. Her brightest moments seemed to come in their company and in the company of children in general. She was a mentor to many and a friend to all young people. Though she rests from her labors, her good works do follow her. We see this in the many lives she touched and made better through her counsel.
Debbie’s humor, wisdom, and love will be sorely missed by her family and friends. She is survived by her son J. Christopher Pracht V, Esq., daughter in law Kristine Pracht of Greenville, grandchildren John Christopher Pracht VI (“Jack”), Jennings Molony Pracht, and June Sullivan Pracht; siblings, Brianna Lawrence and spouse Bruce of Greenwood, Jennings Dorn and spouse Cindy of Greenville, and Johnson Dorn and spouse Sharon of Saluda, nephews, Will Batson and spouse Ashley of Charleston, Patrick Kennedy and spouse Sophia of Paris, France, William Dorn and his spouse Joao Martins of London, England, Bruce Lawrence, Jr. and his spouse Matthew Husband of Oxford and Griffith Dorn and his spouse Katie of Saluda; niece, Madison Dorn of Greenville; former spouse Chris Pracht and lifelong family friend Diana Dent Cox among many others. Predeceasing her in death are her parents, William Jennings Bryan Dorn and Mildred Johnson Dorn, Sister, Olivia Byrd Kennedy, and her cherished black lab “Pitch”.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery in Callison, S.C., with Debbie’s brother, Reverend Johnson Dorn, officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at Barratt House, 707 Bryan Dorn Rd., Greenwood, SC.
The family requests memorials be made to the William Jennings Bryan Dorn Endowment Fund, c/o South Caroliniana Library, University of South Carolina, 910 Sumter St., Columbia, SC 29208.
