Mildred S. Prater, a lifelong resident of the Saks community, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday. She was 89.
Mrs. Prater was born in a small house on what is now Roy Webb Road and lived her entire life within a three-mile radius of that spot. She was a 1954 graduate of Saks High School and worked for two years as a telephone operator before marrying her late husband, Charles Prater, in 1956.
She was a devoted member of the Saks Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School to four-year-olds for over 50 years. She was famous for her seven-layer salad, which was a staple of every church potluck and bereavement meal for decades.
Mrs. Prater never missed a Wednesday night prayer service, with the single exception of the Wednesday that fell during the Blizzard of '93, also known as the "Storm of the Century." Friends and family say that for the rest of her life, she maintained a firm position that the service should have been held, stating that a little ice should not stand in the way of fellowship.
She is survived by two sons, David Prater, of Alexandria, and Michael Prater, of Weaver; a daughter, Beth Prater Smith, of White Plains; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles.
Visitation will be from 12 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday at Miller Funeral Home. The service will follow at 2 p.m. in the chapel. Burial will be at the adjoining cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Saks Baptist Church building fund.
