Joy Dell Prater

RAWSON, OH. - Joy Dell Harrington Prater, 92, beloved mother and grandmother passed away peacefully at Bridge Hospice in Findlay, Ohio on Wednesday September 11, 2024.
There will be a celebration of her life this week as follows:
Visitation: 6 - 8 p.m. Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at Greenwood Funeral Home in Memorial Suite B, 3344 White Settlement Rd., Fort Worth, Texas 76107.
Funeral/Celebration: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, September 19, 2024, in Greenwood's Live Oak Chapel at 3100 White Settlement Rd., Fort Worth, Texas 76107; followed by a graveside service at Annetta Cemetery in Annetta, Texas.
Joy was born in Parker County, Texas on April 19, 1932, where she lived her early years. She graduated from Aledo High School in 1949, where she was an avid basketball player and football cheerleader. Following graduation, she attended business college in Weatherford, Texas. In June 1950, she married Dr. Hasmer "Jack" Counts, accompanying him to Illinois and California during his U.S. Air Force service. Joy gave birth to 2 daughters during her time as an Air Force wife, Dianne in 1953, and Sherry in 1954.
Joy later moved to Galveston, Texas where husband Jack attended medical school. During this season, Joy was a front desk Public Relations Secretary for Lipton Tea Company. The family then moved near their parents in Fort Worth, Texas where Jack interned. Joy then gave birth to their first son, Stephen in 1961. Joy soon became a single mother, following divorce, and raised the children as she worked as a Public Relations Secretary for then, All Saints Hospital.
In the mid 60s, she moved to Arlington, Texas, where she bought a home and worked as a secretary for LTV. One day she typed a manual for a handsome Technical Writer, who was also a pilot in the Air Force Guard, James Prater. He asked her to add a dedication to, "Joy" to his book, and she did! They were soon dating and married. Jim helped her raise her 3 children, and Joy was able to travel with him on trips to beautiful Victoria, BC and Lake Louise Canada.
She and Jim were active in their church, First Baptist of Arlington, Texas. She also enjoyed cooking holiday meals, painting ceramics, and shopping QVC. Joy retired from a public relations position at a local hotel in her 50s, which gave her more time to spend with Jim. Jim passed from this earth in 2000, following a battle with brain cancer, which Joy nursed, supported and loved him through.
Joy lived 19 years independently. Throughout the years, she celebrated many birthdays and holidays with children and grandchildren. She loved singing in a senior church choir, coloring beautiful; elaborate and detailed pictures, completing word searches, and visiting with friends at Town Village Crossing. She also vacationed with her daughters to New England in the fall and several trips to the Gulf coast of Florida.
In 2022, Joy moved to Rawson, Ohio to live with her daughter, Dianne and son-in-law, Ron. She had many memorable trips, including PA, AL, and IN to visit with grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and just see sites. Joy was always excited to celebrate holidays and birthdays, go boating, attend concerts, especially ukulele sessions at local coffee shops. She rolled her way through a 5K to support ocular melanoma in Cleveland, attended elegant teas, and had adventures with her granddaughters when they visited from Washington and Texas. She was even able to visit Texas a time or two! Joy especially enjoyed watching lightning bugs and sunsets from her back deck.
Joy was able to enjoy life fully and she is remembered fondly by family and friends for truly embodying her name, "Joy."
Joy has ascended to heaven to join her family who has passed before her. She is preceded in death by her husband, James Prater; daughter, Sherry Wafer Conway; son-in-law, Bill Wafer; mother, Gert Harrington; father, Joseph, R Harrington; brothers, James, RC, and Joe Harrington; and sister-in-law, Betty Harrington.
Joy is survived by her son, Stephen Counts of Arlington, TX; daughter, Dianne Sewell and son-in-law, Ron Sewell of Rawson, OH. She is also survived by a grandson, Holland Noden (Misty) of Madison, AL; granddaughter, Emmy Joy of Port Townsend, WA; granddaughter, Shellie Eisenmenger (Duane) of Granbury, TX; grandson, Sean Sewell (Chelsie) of Fort Wayne IN; grandson, Nicholas Wafer of Fort Worth, TX; granddaughter, Bailey Counts of College Station, TX and granddaughter, Elissa Counts of Grand Prairie, TX. Joy has 6 great grandchildren, the youngest being her namesake, Eliana Joy. She also has 3 great-great grandchildren and is additionally survived by 2 sister in laws, Martha and Kay Harrington; nieces, nephews and a cousin, Juanette. Finally, she is survived by her recent friend "Sully," the family Sheepadoodle.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mission Arlington, which Joy has supported for many years.
GREENWOOD FUNERAL HOME
Greenwood Funeral - Cremation
3344 White Settlement Road, Fort Worth, TX 76107
817-336-0584