1918
2018
Dallas - Louise Prater, long-time former resident of McAllen, passed away on Tuesday, May 15, at Autumn Leaves On White Rock Retirement Home in Dallas, at the age of 99. Born Mary Louise Alexander on August 18, 1918, in Teague, Texas, she was the first daughter of Louis Emile Alexander and Goldie Undine Hardy. She grew up in Teague and along the Missouri Pacific Railway between Houston and Dallas, as her father was foreman of the MP crew that kept the rail line in repair. Following her father's death from cancer in 1929, Louise went to live and attend school at Masonic Home in Ft. Worth. She graduated from Masonic Home in 1935 and briefly attended business school. In 1936, she met and married Woodrow Wilson Prater of Dawson, Texas. They moved to the Rio Grande Valley in 1937 and lived in San Benito and La Feria while Wilson worked as a Caterpillar operator for the IBWC, building levees along the Rio Grande. With the beginning of WW2, she moved around the US with Wilson during his service in the Navy's Seabees. She became a secretary at Ellington AFB, Houston, while Wilson served overseas in the Pacific. Following the war, they lived in Monte Alto and out in the country northwest of Mission as Wilson pursued his dream of farming. Eventually, in 1950, they built a home in McAllen, with Wilson farming near Los Ebanos, and they started a family. In the late 1950s, Louise began working part-time for McAllen ISD's Business Office. By the beginning of the 1960s, she was full-time secretary and district purchasing agent for the MISD business office, working for many years with Asst. Superintendent Woody Gearhart. She retired from education in the 1980s, following Wilson's death, and devoted her time to many clubs in the area. She was a member and an officer of the McAllen Medical Center's Hospital Volunteers, Pan American Round Table, Sorosis Professional Women's Club, and Order of the Eastern Star. As well, while working for MISD, she was an active member of Texas Educational Secretaries Association. Both she and Wilson were members of First Presbyterian Church, McAllen, too. In 2007, Louise moved to Dallas to live in a retirement home setting and became an active and much-loved member of Grace United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and all of her brothers (Louis, Jack, Hardy, and Mike Alexander) and her sister Jimmie Ruth Alexander Angel. She is survived by her children, Larry Prater of McAllen and Miranda Prater of Dallas, and their spouses; her grandchildren, Justin Prater of Austin and Janna Diaz of McAllen, and their spouses; and six great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Grace United Methodist Church, Capital Campaign, 4105 Junius St., Dallas, TX 75246. visitation will be held Monday, May 21, 2018 from 6 -8 pm at Kreidler funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 22 at Valley Memorial gardens Cemetery.
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Sincere condolences to the Prater family. She was a fine lady and good friend to my Mom through the Pan American Round Table. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Lauro Guerra
May 24, 2018
My sincerest condolences for your family and friends. When someone you love becomes a memory the memory becomes a treasure. May the wonderful treasures fill your hearts with love and bring you peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. 1Thessalonians 4: 13 &14.
M C
May 19, 2018
So sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort and mercy grant the family hope and peace during this time of sadness and sorrow. Jeremiah 29:11, 12.
Jeanette McGhee
May 19, 2018
Those who pass on God Keeps in his memory because he cares for them. Sorry for your loss.
May 19, 2018
I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family. Losing a loved one is never easy. Cherish the wonderful memories. I pray you find comfort and strength in Almighty God. Comfort from God, family, and friends soothes the hurt.
V M
Neighbor
May 19, 2018
My sincerest indolentes go out to the family and friends of Mary. Please find comfort in the loving words of 1Thesalonians 5:16,17
Demi
May 19, 2018
My sincere sympathy for your loss. May the God of all comfort strengthen the entire family during this time of sorrow. Those who have died, God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes. Psalms 116:15
S H
May 19, 2018
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