Elouise Prater

Elouise Summerlin Prater, known to her grandchildren and friends as "Ghee" passed away on September 2, 2009 at her residence in Temple. She was born on February 5, 1932 in Tyler, Texas to Helen Cook and Olive Elzie Summerlin, and was sister to Dorothea Biggs, and half-sister to Sandra Wright and half-brother to Jim Summerlin. She moved often in her youth, and in Texas attended schools in Dallas, El Paso, Tyler, and then in Atlanta, Georgia, and Miami, Florida. She made friends easily and looked upon the moves as positive experiences. Elouise was member of the Church of Christ for most of her life giving her life to Christ as a young girl. While in Temple she attended Western Hills Church of Christ. She attended Kerrville Church of Christ during her years in Kerrville. She loved the Lord and looked for opportunities everywhere to share her faith with others. "Home" was wherever she was around people she loved and friends she made. After graduation from John Tyler High School in Tyler, TX she studied one year at Tyler Commercial School and Tyler Junior College. On November 23, 1949 she married Richard Prater. They moved to Ft. Worth (1950-1966) where Richard established himself in the concrete business and formed Prater Concrete Company. They had 5 children and remained married until 1985. In 1966 the family moved to Temple (1966-1990) after purchasing Centex Ready Mix Concrete Company. Several years later Elouise established her own business, Elouise's Stichery Parlour. Elouise also participated actively as a volunteer with the Central Texas Center for the MHMR and was honored with both a Certificate of Appreciation Award and the Gold Award for her hours and devotion. Her energy and optimism set a cheerful tone in her home, her work, her activities, and for the family she loved. Elouise cherished her friends both in Fort Worth and Temple and kept in contact with so many. In 1990, she moved to Kerrville and quickly made a new home as well as many friends. During her years in Kerrville (1990-2008), Elouise satisfied a long-standing desire to do mission work abroad by working in two separate tours as a secretary at Eastern European Missions in Vienna, Austria. When she returned from Vienna, she worked for a time at Kerrville Funeral Home. She gave herself without reserve to her family and friends, and took on causes and interests as her own. By her children and grandchildren, Elouise will always be remembered for being a tireless cheerleader and supporter of their various activities. People loved to share their happiest times with her and also loved her company when life had given them a setback. She was a queen of encouragement. Those who knew her will deeply miss her smile, her hopefulness, and genuine good-heartedness. Survivors include daughters Betty McMillioan and husband, Mike; Trish Sebek and husband, Craig; Kathy Hawkins and husband, Steve; sons Ron Prater; and David Prater and wife, Anetha. Granddaughters are Kim Wiley and husband, Tommy; Jenny Arnold and husband, Bobby; Monica Prater; Connie Kaaiohelo and husband, Jared; Cindy Sebek; and Hillary Love and husband, Josh. Grandsons are Jeff McMillioan and wife Cynthia; Carlo Prater and wife Raquel; Todd Sebek; Mack Hawkins; and Rich Hawkins. Great grandchildren are Emily, Hannah, and Jared Wiley; Madelyn and Jaco Messenger; Jessica, Micah, and Robert Arnold; Zeke McMillioan; Apolo Prater; and Kora and Kenna Kaaiohelo. She is also survived by a sister, Dorothea Biggs as well as half-sister, Sandra Wright and half-brother, Jim Summerlin. Nephews are Mike Culver, Craig Culver, Bob Prater, Don Prater and niece Linda Culver-White along with extended family and friends. Funeral Services will be 10AM Saturday September 5, 2009 at the Scanio-Harper Funeral Home in Temple with Ron Prater officiating burial will follow at Bellwood Memorial Park in Temple. A visitation will be held from 6-7 PM Friday September 4, 2009 at the Scanio-Harper Funeral Home in Temple. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Medina Children's Home 21300 State Highway 16 North Medina, Texas 78055 or to Ronald McDonald House 2415 South 47th Street Temple, Texas76504. Obituary & Guestbook at www.scanioharperfuneralhome.com