Willie B. Prather

Willie B. Hyde Prather, affectionately known as “Nannie,” “Nanny B,” “Aunt B,” “Billie,” or simply “B,” was born on November 29, 1925, in the family farmhouse in Elm Grove, Texas, to William Blakley and Ottie Lee Sutton Hyde. One of ten children, she grew up among the siblings lovingly known as the “Elm Grove Ten.” Over the course of her remarkable 100 years, B lived a life defined by her devotion to Jesus Christ, her love for others, and a quiet strength that carried her family through generations.

Before marrying G.W. “Dub” Prather, B worked at Sears, Roebuck and Co. She and Dub shared 52 years of marriage and a life dedicated to serving the Lord. Dub, a World War II veteran who lived with the effects of polio, faithfully preached the Gospel despite his physical limitations. Together, they helped establish Pleasant Oaks Baptist Church in the Pleasant Grove community of Dallas, where Dub served as its first pastor. Their ministry later took them to Rose Hill Baptist Church in Mineola. After more than three decades of ministry, they retired to Emory, Texas. Following Dub’s passing in 1998, B moved to Seagoville and became a member of New Haven Baptist Church, where she remained a member for the rest of her life.

Being a preacher’s wife was much more than a title to B. Whether someone was sick, grieving, or simply needed a helping hand, she was often there before anyone thought to ask. She cared for Dub throughout their marriage, tended to her mother and siblings when they needed her, and arrived with food and a willingness to do whatever needed to be done. Caring for people was not an occasional act of kindness; it was how she lived.

Her grandchildren spent much of their childhood in Nannie’s home, and some lived with her at different times. Her house was a place where everyone belonged and where the grandchildren competed for the coveted spot beside Nannie in her king-size bed. Dub would retreat to the study while the children gathered around her. Her chicken and dumplings and banana pudding became family favorites, and although many have tried, no one has quite managed to duplicate those famous dumplings.

Nannie was gentle, loving, and remarkably patient. Her family could scarcely remember hearing her raise her voice, but she had a mind of her own and a quiet wit. Even in her later years, she wasn’t shy about letting Brother George know when she thought a sermon had gone a little too long. She could make everyone smile without ever setting out to be funny.

Above all, B loved the Lord. She read her Bible every day, and when her eyesight no longer allowed her to read, her family played Scripture for her on an iPad, even in her final days. One verse she often repeated was Psalm 118:24: “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Her family saw that spirit in the way she greeted each day with gratitude and remained positive through life’s hardships.

In 1984, her nephew Glen Hyde wrote a poem about the Elm Grove Ten, describing each sibling in a few memorable words. His description of Aunt Bea would prove especially fitting through the years, as B endured the loss of her beloved husband and all three of her children. She grieved those losses but continued to be someone her family could lean on.

For nearly 20 years, B made her home at Seagoville Senior Living, where she enjoyed her independence, friendships, and an active social life. Monday through Thursday, she gathered with her quilting group in the annex building, where they lovingly made quilts to donate to nursing home residents—or, as Nannie would say, to “take to the elderly at the old folks homes.” Even well into her nineties, Nannie never seemed to consider herself among the elderly. She simply saw people who might need a little comfort and found a way to provide it.

In August 2024, just three months before her 99th birthday, B moved to Mabank Nursing Home, a place that had always held a special connection for her because her own mother had once lived there. She quickly became part of another extended family, loving the nurses, aides, therapists, and staff who cared for her and receiving that same love in return.

For years, Nannie spoke of her hope to experience the rapture and meet the Lord in the clouds. She looked forward to Heaven with the confidence of someone who had spent a lifetime trusting in its promise. Her family takes comfort in knowing that she is now home with the Savior she loved above all else.

B was preceded in death by her parents, William Blakley and Ottie Lee Sutton Hyde; her beloved husband, G.W. “Dub” Prather; her three children, George, Garry, and Laverne; and eight of her nine siblings.

She is survived by her sister, Helen Panter of Emory, Texas; and sister-in-law, Wynelle Hyde of Canton, Texas.

She is also survived by her eight grandchildren: Mark Morris and wife Valerie of Fountain Inn, South Carolina, and his daughter Madison Morris; Scott Prather of Crandall, Texas; Todd Morris and wife Tanya of Traskwood, Arkansas, and their children Catherine Ivy and husband Aaron, Jackson, Lawson, and Eden Morris; Amy Barber and husband Brandon of Tool, Texas, their daughters Breanna Barber and her daughter Georgia B Henderson, and Brittyn Barber; Kelly Prather of Emory, Texas; April B Emig and husband Kam of Emory, Texas, their children Erin Emig and her daughter Saylem Emig, Emma Darst and husband Bailey and their daughter

Bobbi Ann Darst, and Evan Emig; Amber Montes and her children Kaden, Kameron, Kyndel, and Kynzie Montes; and Garry Prather Jr. and wife Ashlee of Emory, Texas, and their children Garry Prather III and Gracelynn Prather.

She is also survived by her daughters-in-law, Paula Prather of Emory, Texas, and Barbara Prather of Combine, Texas; her adopted daughter, Kathy Ryer of Garland, Texas; and her daughter-in-love, Cindy McKinney of Crandall, Texas. She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, dear friends, and extended family members whose lives were touched by her love and presence.

B leaves behind a legacy not simply of years lived, but of people cared for, children welcomed, meals shared, prayers offered, and faith practiced in everyday life. Her beloved husband, Rev. G.W. “Dub” Prather, often said, “We preach our own funeral every day by the lives that we live.” Perhaps no words could better describe the life B lived. She never needed recognition for the countless ways she served others. Her life was her testimony, and the love she gave, the faith she demonstrated, and the example she set will continue to speak for generations to come. She was, as her nephew Glen wrote so many years ago, “strong, steady as a rock.”

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Willie B. Hyde Prather Memorial Endowment Fund, established to honor her love of family and provide lasting support for the annual Hyde Family Reunion, a tradition she held so dear. Contributions may be sent via Zelle to 214-926-6126. Please include 'B Memorial' in the payment memo.

Visitation will be held at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton, TX on November 4, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life will take place at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton, TX on November 5, 2026, at 11:00 am followed by a Graveside Service held at Pilgrim Rest Cemetery #1 in Emory/Rains County.