Mary Katherine Underwood Prather

Mary Katherine Underwood Prather passed away at her residence on July 30, 2010. Services will be held at the Legacy, Lubbock, Texas (formerly the First Presbyterian Church 1500-14th Street) on Monday, August 2, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.. in the Talkington Hall with the Reverends Keith Wiseman and Ted Dotts presiding under the direction of Resthaven Funeral Home. The family will receive guests in the parlor immediately following the service and a private internment will follow at the City of Lubbock Cemetery.

Mrs. Prather was born in Bartlett, Texas on September 22, 1918 to Arch S. and Minnie Underwood. She grew up in Athens, Texas, and later moved to Highland Park in the Dallas area. In 1935 the family moved to Lubbock to enter into the cotton compress and warehouse business. They established residence at 3109 19th Street in 1937 where she resided until 1941. On May 9, 1941 she married Thomas Wayne Prather. They were together until his death in 1990.

Prior to her membership in the First United Methodist Church of Lubbock she was actively involved in all aspects of the First Presbyterian Church most of her life. She was a Deacon and an Elder and served on many committees. Her family was instrumental in placing a “Suttee Pipe Organ” in the church sanctuary which remains today in the YWCA facility. She was a charter member of the Lubbock Country Club and active in the Junior League and many other civic organizations. She was also a survivor of the SS Athena, the first commercial passenger ship sunk during World War II by the Germans.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brothers Harris and Fred Q. Underwood and sister Dorothy Chambers.

She is survived by her two sons Thomas W. and wife Sammie Prather and Laurin and wife Sharon Prather, all of Lubbock. Mrs. Prather is also survived by four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, sister-in-laws Louise Underwood and Dale Underwood, both of Lubbock, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family suggests memorials be sent to any of the following Lubbock organizations; Covenant Foundation 3623-22nd Place 79410, First Methodist Church Ever-living Trust Fund 1411-Broadway 79401 or the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts 511 Ave. K 79401.

Arrangements under the direction of Resthaven Funeral Home & Memorial Park, Lubbock, TX.

Condolences may be offered at www.resthavenfuneralhome.com