James W. Prather

SOMERSET PRATHER, JAMES W., 76, died Saturday, January 29, 2005. He was born on February 16, 1928, the son of the late Arthur and Cora Woods Prather. James was a retired automobile dealer and a 50-year and/or life member of the Seviers Masonic Lodge #491, F&AM of Nancy, KY, Olieka Shrine Temple of Lexington, KY, and the Scottish Rite of Louisville. He also once served as the treasurer for the Young Democrats of Kentucky. He was a member of First Christian Church of Somerset and attended West Somerset Baptist Church. His mother, Cora, died while he was an infant. His father, Arthur, later married Esma Girkey Prather, who raised James as her own and also preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Jo Nell Pierce Prather, to whom he was united in marriage in 1959 in Ringgold, GA. He is also survived by his two sons, James W. Prather Jr. (Patricia) of Denver, CO, and Arthur G. Prather II (Tracy) of Burlington, KY; a daughter, Sarah Catherine Bryant (Michael) of Louisville; seven grandchildren, Dr. Mark Prather of Denver, Scott Prather of Lexington, Brent Prather and Cory Anne Prather, both of Burlington, and Jeff Bryant, April Brewer and Amanda Miller, all of Louisville; a brother, William Arthur Prather (Margaret Rose); four sisters, Beatrice Turpin (Jack), Sarah Jane Posey, Mary Faith Sellers and Margaret Silver (John Robert), all of Somerset; and 12 great-grandchildren. His funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, February 1, 2005, in the chapel of the Pulaski Funeral Home in Somerset, with the Rev. Ewell Hargis officiating. Burial will follow in the Prather family cemetery in Nancy. Visitation will be after 6 p.m. Monday, January 31, 2005, at the funeral home. The family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to the Shriners Children's Hospital.