James Edmond Prater passed away in his home on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at the age of 90, surrounded by his adoring family.
He was born on December 31, 1928 in Murfreesboro, TN; son of the late Benjamin Harrison Prater and Jimmie Blanton Prater.
He attended Woodbury Elementary and Leoni Elementary schools in Woodbury, TN, and graduated from Central High School in Woodbury, TN in 1949.
Mr. Prater was drafted into the U. S. Army on October 16, 1950. He served in the Korean War with the 17th Infantry Regiment and 7th Infantry Division. Wounded in 1951, he was hospitalized in Osaka, Japan for three months after which he returned to active duty. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
He married Wilma Cook in 1953. He was a carpenter by trade. In the early 60’s he began preaching for local congregations of the Church of Christ in Cannon County, TN. In 1966 he and his family moved to Cuba, KY where he became the minister at the Cuba Church of Christ. He later ministered to the Greenbrier Church of Christ in Madison, AL. In 1971, he began serving as minister for the Greenfield Church of Christ in Greenfield, TN, where he preached for seven years, and later served as an elder until moving to Clarksville, TN in 2006. Following his years in full-time ministry, he preached for various local congregations over the next 17 years.
Mr. Prater is preceded in death by his parents, B. H. and Jimmie Blanton Prater; grandparents, James Sydney and Mary Bray Blanton and Gabriel D. and Mary Francis Prater; two sisters, Nora St. John and Lola Ramey; and four brothers, J. C. Prater, Benjamin Harrison Prater, Jr., Sheliah Haskel Prater and Truman Prater.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Wilma Cook Prater; children, Mark (Penny) Prater, Melody (Harold) Smith, Melissa (Cecil) Wood, and Michelle (Russell) Roberts; brother, Carl Eldon Prater; grandchildren, Christie Smith (Brandon) Kettle, Joshua (Ayano) Smith, Brian Prater, Barton (Emily) Prater, Bradley Prater, Garrett (Emily) Roberts, Ansley Roberts, and Kendra Roberts, great-grandchildren, Wesley Kettle, Lily Kettle, Aiden Prater, Ansley Parker, and Namiya Smith.
Services will be held at the Hilldale Church of Christ in Clarksville, TN on Saturday, February 2nd at 2:00. The family will receive visitors from 12:00 until the time of service.
A visitation and service will also be conducted at Smith Funeral Home in Woodbury, TN on Sunday, February 3rd at 2:00. The family will receive guests from 1:00 until the time of service.
Pallbearers will be Mr. Prater’s grandsons and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leoni Cemetery Fund, Woodbury, TN, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or the Clarksville Christian School.
The family would like to thank Avalon Hospice and Right At Home of Clarksville, TN for the love, compassion and support they have provided for the family. Share memories and condolences with the family at www.smithfuneralhomewoodbury.net Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337
