Mary Prather

Mary was born on August 30, 1934 in Marysville, Ohio to Shearly Hugh and Fleeta Lucile Cotton. She graduated from Marysville High School in 1952 then went on to attend Central Bible College and Seminary in Springfield, Missouri where she earned a Diploma of Graduation with a major in Bible, Certificate in Student Ministry, Evangelical Teacher Certificate with a Teacher’s Diploma and Master Diploma. This is also where Mary learned and taught Sign Language which she loved and used her entire life in church, schools and business such as Delphi or anytime anyone needed her assistance for the Deaf. She loved fishing, music and attending church. She played saxophone, piano and had a beautiful voice which she loved to sing especially in church. She met the love of her life through a mutual friend while he was in Missouri from the Army visiting family. She married H.D Tex Prather on August 31, 1959 in Springfield, Missouri. During their years together she worked in accounting and banking until she and her husband opened their own business, Local Food Market in Henrietta, Texas where she took care of the financials among many other duties until they closed in 1989. She then went on to attain her Texas Paraprofessional Certificate where she then went to work for WFISD as a teacher’s Aide and Deaf Interpreter until she retired. During this time she also worked at Sams Club for 15 years as a door greeter which is where many came to know her and loved her. Mary loved to go to Sunday school and church. Her and her husband attended Cowboy Church in Henrietta, Texas where they made and loved many friends who they consider family.

She is survived in death by her husband H.D. Tex Prather of Henrietta, Texas; daughter Beth Ann Fletcher and husband Robert Larry Fletcher of Abilene, Texas; grandchildren Lauren Elizabeth Hoffman and Emilie Breanne Hoffman of Abilene, Texas; Robert Lane Fletcher of Wichita Falls, Texas; sister in law Dorothy Cotton of Marysville, Ohio and Vivian Cotton of San Angelo, Texas.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Shearly Hugh Cotton of Chicago, Illinois, Fleeta Lucile Cotton of Marysville, Ohio, brother, Pastor James Cotton and wife, Kitty of Costa Mesa, California, brother, Richard Cotton of Marysville, Ohio, sister, Betty Jane Brown and husband, Dick of Paradise, California, brother, John Cotton of San Angelo, Texas and sister, Shirley Ann Ryan and husband, Gene of Mulvane, Kansas.

A special thanks to Beyond Faith Hospice, LLC in Wichita Falls, Texas for the wonderful care and support they provided. We would like to also thank the nurses at Advanced Rehab and Healthcare of Wichita Falls, Texas, and to the Church Family at Cowboy Church of Henrietta, Tx, thank you for all your prayers and support.

Visitation will be held Tuesday April 13, 2021 at 6-8 P.M. at Hampton Vaughan Crestview Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday April 14, 2021 at Hampton Vaughan Crestview Funeral Home at 2 P.M.