Phyllis Marker Pratt

Phyllis Marker Pratt passed away December 6, 2015. She was born on July 13, 1923 in South Bend, Indiana, and grew up with her younger sister, Donna. She was greatly influenced by her grandmother, “Grandma Sue,” her mother’s mother, who encouraged her to draw and interested her in dress design. She worked in Chicago and went to art school after high school. Through her roommate in Chicago, Ivy, she met her future husband, Chester Pratt, Ivy’s cousin. They married in 1948 and lived in Ann Arbor, MI, Buffalo, NY, and Birmingham, MI, before moving to Houston in 1975.

In Houston, she worked at several secretarial jobs until her retirement in 1996. She loved reading, especially historical things about where she was living or visiting. Her passion was the Heritage Society’s Sam Houston Park, where she was a weekend docent for over 20 years. She especially loved the annual Candlelight Tour at Christmastime.

Phyllis and Chet were married 67 years during which she enjoyed playing couples bridge with a newcomers group in Houston, travelling, square dancing with the “Hey Lollies” and spoiling her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Chester Pratt; 3 of her 4 children: Cynthia Petersen (Russell) of Tekamah, NE, David Pratt (Jimmie Sue) of Houston, Marcia Grenier of Elgin, TX,; 5 grandchildren: Brian Dooley (Jessica) of Simpsonville, SC, Katy Zeiter (Dan) of Cumming, GA, Erica Pitre (Joe), Rachel Pratt, and Alexa Pratt all of Houston; two great grandchildren, Nicole and Brendan Zeiter, and many loving friends. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Diana Gail Pratt (b.1950, d.1951), her sister, Donna Brayton and two sons-in-law; Joseph Dooley, Jr., and Tim Grenier.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 11, 2015 at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home at 13100 Katy Freeway in Houston, with a reception following. Visitation will be Thursday evening prior from 6-8 p.m.

Please leave us comments and memories www.memorialoaksfunerals.com on the Memorial Oaks guest book page. Memorials can be sent to the Heritage Society of Houston’s Sam Houston Park at 1100 Bagby Street, Houston, TX 77002.