Ardys Prasada-Rao

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ardys W. Prasada-Rao, at 91 years of age on Monday, October 19, 2026. She took her final breath at 8:41 pm that night, surrounded by family and friends singing the last verse of My Jesus I Love Thee: "In mansions of glory and endless delight, I'll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright. And sing with the glittering crown on my brow, 'If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus tis now.' "

Ardys was born in India, the 3rd of 7 children of Veeraiah and Santhamma Williams (later Chedalavada) and studied in SDA schools through college. She traveled to Ethiopia to marry the love of her life, Thomas Prasada-Rao, where their 2 sons were born. They were among the first 5 Southern Asian SDA families to emigrate to the US settling in Maryland in the early 1960’s, where their two daughters were born. Her gracious hospitality and excellent cooking were a gift to many over the decades since then. She was known for her grace and elegance, perfect sari pleats, organization and planning skills, competitive Make-a-Million card strategy, beautiful sense of color and aesthetics and serving as surrogate mom and grandma to many. She displayed a quiet sense of strength and perseverance, always making sure that things were taken care of and everyone had not only what they needed, but had their special desires met.

Losing Tom Sr, her husband of 66 years in early 2023 and her eldest son Tom Jr in mid-2024, hit Ardys hard. In 2026 her health began to decline further and after a lengthy stay in the hospital, she was ready to rest, putting her trust in “whatever God has planned.” As we now say goodbye, our hearts are both broken and filled with gratitude.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 30, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Southern Asian SDA Church. There will be a viewing and visitation with the family from 9 – 10 am. The service will be live-streamed at https://www.sasdac.org/. The interment will follow immediately after the service at George Washington Cemetery with everyone invited to join the family for a repast back at the SASDAC Church.

The family would like to thank you for your prayers and support during this difficult time.

FAMILY

Ardys leaves behind her children, Dan (Windy), Patty, Polly (Mark); grandchildren, Alex, Zach (Alex), Caroline, Hannah, and Maddy; and many, many other family, friends, and loved ones.