Edna Lucille Pratt

Edna Lucille Pratt (nee Harman) of Columbia, Missouri, and formerly of Steelville, Missouri, passed away on Monday, September 9, 2024, at the age of 91 years, 10 months, and 16 days.
Edna was born October 24, 1932, in Steelville, Missouri, to Lee Roy and Cora Bell Harman (nee Cook). The Harman family resided in both Steelville and Macks Creek, Missouri, during Edna's formative years, and she attended school in both communities.
As a young adult, Edna moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where she met a handsome man named Ralph K. "Kenny" Pratt in December 1951 as he was performing "Mountain Rosalie" on stage. She told a friend that he was what she wanted for Christmas, and a short time later, they were united in marriage in Kenny's hometown of New Berlin, Illinois, on June 9, 1952. They enjoyed 64 years together until Kenny's death in 2016. Edna adored him until the day she died.
Edna and Kenny initially resided in Sullivan, Missouri, in the 1950s and purchased their first home on Genevieve Street. They loved playing music and camping with Edna's parents and family. They also took up motorcycle riding. After a decade of marriage, Edna and Kenny were pleasantly surprised to welcome the births of two daughters–Pamela Jean and Patricia Lea. Edna focused on being a mother and caregiver when her daughters were very young at which time the family resided in Ellisville, Missouri. She always purchased gifts for both girls on each child's respective birthday so neither child felt left out. She baked birthday cakes, sewed doll clothes, cooked anything she could get Pam to eat, and got rid of a dog because it frequently knocked Patty down. She was a protective mother and saw no need for a babysitter.
In 1970, Edna and her family returned to Sullivan, Missouri, to raise their kids in a small town on the infamous "George Street" where neighbors were family. Edna returned to work when both daughters were in school, and she spent twenty years employed by Ramsey Corp/TRW in Sullivan and later, St. Louis County. During the George Street years, the kids in the neighborhood walked in and out of the Pratt household like they lived there and often referred to Edna as "Big Ed" or "You Turkey" depending on what the situation called for. Edna loved playing scary music on Halloween and handing out candy to the hundreds of trick-or-treaters who came to George Street for a safe night and good candy. Edna cooked many family meals and was well known for her cabbage rolls and Thanksgiving dinners. Her Thanksgiving dressing is still revered by family. Edna was also a member of Grace United Methodist Church, which was located at the top of George Street, and she maintained friends from that church throughout her lifetime. Edna and Kenny also welcomed a foreign exchange daughter, Regi Burkhard Harri of Switzerland, into their family in 1980, and Regi has remained a part of the Pratt family ever since.
Edna and Kenny retired and moved to Camdenton, Missouri, in early 1990 where they worked outdoors on their property, just for the fun of it, before eventually settling in Steelville, Missouri, in 1997 to be near Edna's elderly mother. During this time, Edna spent many hours at Gibbs Care Center in Steelville visiting her mother, and Edna and Kenny volunteered their time playing music at the care center and nearby veterans' home. Edna loved music and playing her bass guitar almost as much as she liked working in her yard and growing every imaginable plant/flower. Edna did not tolerate laziness! Edna and Kenny also became members of the Steelville Country Club where they made dear friends and had many fun times. Edna was indeed the life of the party and always prepared to make a blackberry cobbler for any carry-in dinner or benefit.
Edna loved spending time with her grandchildren, Ashley and John; their spouses; and her great grandchildren, Lilly, Abby, and Louis. Grandma Edna was always prepared with apples and ready for a walk down Kehner Road to feed Frosty the horse, and she was always up for a trip to Dexter, Missouri, to visit the grandkids/great grandkids.
Edna was a member of the Steelville Presbyterian Church, greatly enjoyed being a part of that congregation, and relied on her faith in Christ during the closing chapter of her life after being diagnosed with a second, primary cancer.
Edna was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Kenny; her eldest daughter, Pamela Jean (Pratt) Pinney; her parents, Lee and Cora Harman; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Frank and Gertrude Pratt; sisters, Ruby Hinkley, Ada Hall, and Julia Blanton; brothers, Gilbert, Roy "Sonny", and Eldon Harman; and other relatives and friends.
Edna is survived by her daughter, Patricia "Patty" Pratt of Columbia, Missouri; grandchildren, Ashley (Dustin) Mayer and John (Jessica) Marshall of Dexter, Missouri; great grandchildren, Lilly, Abby, and Louis Mayer of Dexter, Missouri; son-in-law, Harry Pinney of Columbia, Missouri; brother, John (Janette) Harman of Bourbon, Missouri; foreign exchange daughter, Regi (Adrian) Harri of Frenkendorf, Switzerland; and other relatives and friends.
Visitation was be held from 12–2pm on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri, followed by a funeral service at 2pm with Rev. Wendy Downing officiating. Scripture readings were by Harry Pinney and Dustin Mayer with a poem reading by Jessica Marshall and Patty Pratt sharing memories. Music of "Go Rest High", "Life's Railway to Heaven", "Far Side Banks of Jordan" and "The Old Country Church was played.
Committal prayers and interment were held at Liberty Cemetery immediately following the funeral service.
Serving as pallbearers were Don Booker, Richard Cassidy, Bobby Chandler, Eric Curtis, Kenny Keeven, and Blaine Parrett.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Edna's name to Liberty Cemetery. Memorial envelopes are available at the funeral home.
The Pratt family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri.
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