THELMA PRATER, the sixth child of the late Willie Prater, Sr. and Ethel Pressley Prater was born on July 21, 1941 in Ocilla, Georgia. Thelma received her education at Ocilla High and Industrial School in Irwin County. However, she was determined to achieve the dream of a high school diploma and in 2002 Thelma did just that by graduating from Cornerstone Christian Correspondence School located in Townsend, Georgia. In the years to follow, she attended Indian River State College and later obtained her Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate. Thelma held such jobs as 60 Minutes Laundry along side her sister, Magalene; She Shoppe with Milton Tucker for over 15 years; East Coast Migrant Head Start for 16 years; and Wee Wuns Child Care Center.

Thelma was a dedicated member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church where she has served for 57 years. She joined Friendship in the year of 1962 under the leadership Rev. H.W. White. Some Sundays she had many aches and pains, but she pressed her way to the sanctuary. She was an active member of the Mothers and Deaconess Board, Usher Board #2, Hospitality Committee, and just a dedicated willing worker for the Lord. As her civic duty, Thelma joined the Flamingo Socialites and was an active member for over 10 years.

On Monday, December 2, 2019 at 3:27 p.m. at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center, Thelma answered the call of the Father and went on to be with him and all her loved ones who have gone on before, rejoicing in the presence of Almighty God. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Prater, Sr. and Ethel Pressley Prater; brothers, Willie Prater, Jr., Cleveland Prater, James Charles Prater; sisters, Mary Lou Middlebrooks and Ethel Lee Prater.

Left to cherish her memories are: her one and only son and caretaker, Alton Prater; sister, Magalene Prater James; special niece, Donna Prater Ingram; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and friends.

Public visitation for Mother Thelma Prater will take place on Friday, December 13, 2019 from 3:00pm-7:00pm at Stone Brothers Funeral Home in Fort Pierce, FL. Funeral services will convene on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 3:00pm at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Pierce, FL. Burial will follow at Riverview Memorial Park in Fort Pierce, FL.