Mrs. Princess Saavedra

Mrs. Princess Prather Saavedra, 100, was born in Nashville, Tennessee on November 25, 1924. She entered into eternal rest on March 24, 2025. She was the seventh of nine children born to Toby Lee and Essie B. Spight Prather.

Princess grew up in Nashville and graduated from Pearl High School. She was baptized at an early age at the historic Spruce Street Baptist Church where she remained a faithful member for many years.

The Prather family was an avid supporter of ongoing educational pursuits. Princess received her Bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State College in 1948. She went on to earn a Master’s degree in Education from Atlanta University in 1951. She started teaching in the Metropolitan Nashville public school system in 1952, and reached Civil Service status by 1956, a notable achievement for an African American woman at that time. Princess had a distinguished career as an educator, serving as an elementary teacher for more than thirty years until her retirement.

In 1959, she was united in holy matrimony to Dr. Narciso H. Saavedra. To this union, she became a mother to one son, Narciso Francisco Saavedra. After the passing of Dr. Saavedra in 1979, Princess raised her son as a single parent supporting him throughout his own educational journey. Following his graduation from University School of Nashville, Brown University and Columbia School of Law, Princess was proud of his many accomplishments as a lawyer and executive in New York City.

Princess was known for her lively spirit combined with a strong sense of style, glamour, and adventure. Many can attest to her charity and generosity. Most notably, she was admired for her support of her family, attending graduations, showers, weddings, and other significant events. Princess and Dr. Saavedra documented annual family gatherings with photographs of Easter, Mother’s Day, and other holidays. Visits with Princess often involved passionate debates over any number of topics. She was an avid reader of books and newspapers and was well informed on current events in the US and globally.

Princess was a world traveler who experienced exotic vacations in Africa, Europe, Russia, South America, Asia, the Holy Land, and the Caribbean. For many years, Princess spent her winters in sunny locations such as Barbados and Mexico.

She was preceded in death by her parents Toby Lee and Essie Prather; husband, Dr Narciso H. Saavedra; sisters, Ethel Ingram, Grace Scott, Ruth Peeler, Katheryn Prather, Martha Rucker, and Mai Olive Lusk; brothers Carey Prather and Dr. H. Leon Prather.

She leaves behind to honor a life well-lived: son, Narciso F. Saavedra; nieces, Maxine Rucker Anderson, Wannetta Edwards (Victor), Diane Thurman (David), Katheryn Peeler (Troy Lewis), and Lawsanne Prather; nephews, H. Leon Prather, Jr. (Denise), Phillip Rucker (Julia), Michael J. Scott (Kori); and a host of other great nieces and nephews, family and friends. As we celebrate Princess Saavedra’s life of 100 years, she continues to bless us with her love and spirit.

Please keep the Saavedra family in your thoughts and prayers.