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Barbara Prather

Jun 10th, 1944 - Nov 28th, 2024

Funeral:  12 noon Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora

Visitation:  10 a.m. until 12 noon on Wednesday at the funeral home

Private interment will take place later at Elmwood Cemetery

 

      Barbara A. Prather, age 80, of Louisville, Illinois, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, November 28, 2024, surrounded by her family.

      She was born on June 10, 1944, in Flora.  Barbara married Ron Prather, the love of her life, on July 25, 1986, in Clarksville, Tennessee.  They were blessed to have celebrated 38 anniversaries.  Together, Barbara and Ron ran Ron’s Auto Sales and raised four beautiful children and a granddaughter.  From working in the body shop, traveling, yard work, or shopping, you never saw one without the other too far behind.  They truly did everything together.

      Barbara was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer in February 2023.  She was given a short time, but with her wonderful doctor, treatments, and her faith in God, and the help of her family, church family, and friends she made it further than expected.  She was a fighter up to the end, being so strong and brave while facing her fate.  She taught many of us just what that meant. 

      Barbara was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, and she appreciated the many simple joys that came with spending time with her family and many dear friends.  She loved traveling to Florida, going to Casinos, mushroom hunting, thrift shopping, camping, pontooning with friends, cooking for her family, and finding a bargain at flea markets.  She loved taking something broken & bringing it home and making it useful and beautiful.  She was also known for her red velvet cakes, which would always cause arguments as to who would get the last piece or who could take a “to go” slice.  She taught several generations how to make her famous rock candy every Christmas.  She also loved hosting her brother & sister’s birthday celebrations each year, as well as Ron’s family get togethers.  One of her proudest accomplishments is that she and Ron were able to bring two families together and make them one beautiful, loving family.  Barbara was blessed to have three mothers in her life, her birth mother, her mother Dorothy McGrew (who took her in at 8 months of age and raised her as her own), and her bonus mom, Dorothy Engelmeier.  She was a member of the First Church of Flora, Flora American Legion, Illinois Sheriffs’ Association and the Flora Moose Lodge.  She worked many years along with her daughters for the Crop 4 A Cure, raising funds for local cancer patients.

      She is survived by her husband, Ron Prather of Louisville; daughters, Lisa (John) Haycock of Flora and Madonna Stumpf of Urbana; son, Wade (Holly) Prather of Clay City; sister, Carla (Stan) Stanford of Flora; brothers, Ronnie (Barb) McGrew and Danny (Kit) McGrew, both of Xenia, Charlie (Debbie) McGrew of Arcola, and Danny Wyatt of Momence; 8 grandchildren, Jordan (Kristin) Haycock of Madison, Alabama, Katelyn Phillips of Flora, Sheldon (Irene) Stumpf of Farmer City, Colton Stumpf of Champaign, Makenna Stumpf of Columbia, Missouri, Marissa Daws of White Hall, and Shandon and Haydon Prather, both of Flora; 5 great-grandchildren, Noah, Addison, & Micah Haycock, and Parker & Gracie Phillips; brothers-in-law, Jim (Tanya) Prather of Flora, Gary (Karen) Prather of Mt Carmel; sisters-in-law, Betty (Dale) Whitney of Salem and Laverne Kruger of Braidwood; and many special nieces and nephews. 

      She was preceded in death by parents, H.E. & Dorothy McGrew; birth mother, Lyndall Wyatt; bonus mom, Dorothy Engelmeier; daughter, Jodi Daws; brother, Ricky McGrew; sister, Phyllis McGrew; grandparents, Cecil & Belle Watson; son-in-law, Trent Daws; mother & father-in-law, Ralph & Cleo Prather; sisters-in-law, Delores Lewis & Radell Gillespie; brothers-in-law, John Lewis & Dean Prather; and a niece and nephew, Sheila Henson and Joseph Lohman.

      The funeral ceremony for Barbara Prather will be held at 12 noon Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora, with Jim Earleywine officiating.  Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 12 noon on Wednesday at the funeral home.  Private interment will take place later at Elmwood Cemetery in Flora.  Memorials are suggested to the family to help with expenses.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com

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Condolences

November 30th

Sorry to hear this. May she rest in the comfort of God’s arms. My prayers for peace and co fort for the family.

Brenda Rinehart Bullard

November 30th

Sending heartfelt condolences to you all.

Donald Fry

November 30th

she will be missed allways happy go lucky and allways enjoyed talkin to her or ron when picking up car parts or seeing them where i work now ,sorry for your loss ron and your chlidren .

Mary Reynolds

November 30th

My condolences to the family 🙏

Rick and Sherry Gibbs

November 30th

John and Lisa, So sorry to hear about your mom. She was a sweet lady. God has gained a beautiful angel. And she is resting in his arms. I pray for peace and comfort for you during this difficult time.

Toni Griffith

November 30th

Such a wonderful lady!! Many times she invited Josh and I to be a part of her family gatherings. We loved her. Prayers to all.

Darla & Larry Murphy

November 30th

So sorry for your loss, your family is in our prayers.

Rick and Trudy Stanford

November 30th

We are so very sorry for your loss. Barb was such a great person and so much fun. Prayers for the family 🙏🏻♥️🙏🏻

Leon & Glenda Sharp

November 30th

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family

Marilyn Shipley

November 30th

My prayers are with you all

Fred & Lynne Gocey

November 30th

Barb was such a kind, sweet person. Happy to know her thru Crop 4 a Cure and at church. Prayers for you all and for knowing she was a Christian.

Tammy Dulaney

December 1st

One great lady

Tina Brown

December 1st

I am saddened about this.She was a wonderful lady.Prayers for all of you,So sorry for your loss.

David Bryden

December 1st

I offer my sincere condolences to your entire family, the loss of a loved. One is very hard to accept, I'm speaking from experience I pray and grieve with the entire family. I have known entire family for a very long time!

Rob & Angie McKnight

December 2nd

Barb was such a sweetheart. Praying for peace and comfort for her family.

Carl and Brenda Bandy

December 3rd

Carla, Kit, Lisa, and all the family members, we are so sorry that you have lost Barbara. We are sending thoughts, prayers, hugs and love. May God comfort all of you. ❤️

Vince Guerrettaz

December 3rd

Such a beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul. I probably never met her, but I know several of her loved ones and my heart aches for each of you who feel the pain and loss. May God bless her soul.

Brad and Tina Briscoe

December 4th

Barb was one of a kind, such a special lady. Prayers for all of you!

Bill and Robin Atwood

December 4th

We are so happy to have known Barb and see her get closer and closer to Lord Jesus. We are however sorry for your personal loss. She was a very lovely lady. Prayers of comfort for you all.

Leon & Glenda Sharp

December 4th

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

 

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Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services

500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839

Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]

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