The late Deborah Fraser’s memorial service, held at the House of Treasures Ministries Rispark, Johannesburg South on Thursday. She will be laid to rest in her home province of KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday.

Veteran gospel star died at age 56 at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital on Sunday May 15, surrounded by loved ones who confirmed her death Sunday afternoon. Fraser’s funeral is  set for Saturday at the Station Venue in Durban, starting at 09:00. From there, travel to Lala Kahle Cemetery in Hillcrest for a final gravesite ceremony where she will she will be laid to rest.

Debra was wrapping up with an album recording she planned to have released this year, she fell ill on the way to a gig and was hospitalised. “I was unconscious, even the artists that came there said I should be transported to hospital,” a wheelchair-bound Deborah told TshisaLIVE a few weeks ago.

Deborah was due to go to a rehabilitation centre for physiotherapy to help her get back on her feet. “I still cannot walk. I think it’s because I was in bed for a long time, but I don’t know for sure. It’s stressful to live a life you’re not used to. I’m asking for love, I’m asking for prayers.”

“I am performing still because there’s nothing wrong with my voice or hands, except there’s a headache that comes and goes. Plus, I cannot walk. Sometimes I wake up feeling as if I can’t think properly, as if I’m losing my mind. Otherwise, I can sit on my wheelchair and sing.” Although she was ill, Fraser was still making her way to bookings and said at the time that her voice was not affected and felt she could still honour bookings.