Martha Tarwater Pratt

Pratt, Martha Whetten Tarwater
88, was born July 30, 1922 and passed away on April 16, 2011. She was born in Colonia Chuichupa, Chihuahua, Mexico and raised in Colonia Juarez, Mexico. She was the 9th of 10 children of John Amasa Whetten and Martha Carling. On September 1, 1944, she married Don Tarwater. Martha was the mother of six children, five of which lived to adulthood. The children were primarily raised in El Paso, TX but spent the summers working on their ranch in Mexico. Martha's life was dedicated to raising her family; a feat which became difficult following the death of her husband in 1964. In 1972, Martha married Barton Pratt (decased). Besides raising her five children, she worked diligently as a genealogist. However, her greatest joy was serving as a temple worker in Mesa, AZ for 29 years. Martha committed her life to serving others. Survivors include her children Leola (Gordon) Sims Colina Juarez, Mexico; Dan (Karen) Tarwater, Gore, Oklahoma; Richard (Barbara) Tarwater, Payson, Utah; Anamae (Byron) Elledge, Mililani, Hawaii; and Martha (Marcus) Shumway, Mesa, Arizona; 20 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. Also four of her siblings: Vilda Hunsaker of Honeyville, Utah; VerNelle Reed of Safford, Arizona; Jay Whetten of Colonia Juarez, Mexico and Carl Whetten of Mesa, Arizona. Her parents, her daughter Lynette and other siblings all preceded her in death. The viewing and funeral will be held at the LDS Chapel located at 940 E Southern Ave. (Southern and Stapley) in Mesa, Arizona on Saturday, April 23, 2011. The viewing will begin at 9am and the service at 10am. Interment will follow at the City of Mesa Cemetery.