Francis Prater

THEBES, Ill. — Francis O. Prater, 77, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008, at her home in Thebes after a long illness.

She was born Feb. 12, 1931, in Glasgow, Ill., to Merle Lee and Louvennia Emerson Houchens. She and Herbert C. Prater were married Nov. 1, 1951. They had five children.

The Praters attended East Cape Baptist Church and were active in the Thebes community. Francis was known and appreciated at the Thebes Senior Citizens Center for her legendary chicken and dumplings. She was awarded the Studs Terkel Humanitarian Award in 2006 for her involvement in the reopening of the Thebes Courthouse.

Francis was also a former member of Southeast Missouri Modelers Association (SEMMA), where she would travel to air shows and enjoyed meeting people. She was an avid fisherwoman and loved target shooting, quilting and crafting, but what she enjoyed most was her 56 wonderful years with Herbert and their children.

Loving survivors include her husband, Herbert of Thebes; two daughters, Doris (Rick) Mayer of Berea, Ky., Judy (John) Sutton of Thebes; two sons, Steve Prater of Thebes, Charles (Julie) Prater of McClure, Ill.; two sisters, Alma Jean Cash of Glasgow, Nellie May Mauk of Louisville, Ky.; a brother, Benton Houchens of Louisville; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives.

She was preceded in death by a son, Rickey Lane Prater in 2001; a grandson, Shawn Reed; a sister, Louise Fisher; and her parents.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Raymond Oxford officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery in Thebes.