Elmarie Prater

Funeral service for Elmarie Prater of Cottonport will begin at 11:00am on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at Salem Baptist Church in Bunkie with Pastor Greg Jackson officiating. Burial will follow at Shepherd of the Hill Cemetery in Plaucheville.

Elmarie Prater, age 88, passed away on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, in Alexandria, LA. She was born in Hickory, LA on April 18, 1934. She was baptized at an early age ad accepted Jesus Christ in her heart at Morning Star Baptist Church, then Golden Chain Baptist Church. Later in life, she moved her membership to First Evening Star Baptist Church where she served as a devoted and faithful member until her failing health. Elmarie was a loving devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, and aunt.

Those left to cherish her lovely memories are her: 11 daughters: Betty (Jimmy) Prater, Gloria Thomas, Margaret Benjamin, Shirley (Jefferson) Williams, Peggy (Melvin) Eldridge, Susan Prater, Brenda (Donald) Prater, Ethel (Ricky) Hayes, Christie (Bert) Bazert, Maxine Prater, & Linda Prater; 4 sons: Malcolm (Diana) Prater, Jr., Larry Prater, Robert (Cassandra) Prater, & Christopher Prater; and someone special whom she raised as a son, Bill Spruill; 6 sisters: Georgia Washington, Mildred Butler, Mazie Washington, Edna Washington, Marissa Wells, & Maude Washington; 2 brothers: Milbert Washington & James Ray Washington; sister-in-law, Florence Compton; brother-in-law, Jimmy Prater; 64 grandchildren; 175 great-grandchildren; 96 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers: Keith Benjamin, Clinton Prater, Cory Prater, Gary Turner, Dontreal Prater, Dewayne Turner, Jeremy Prater, Marion Prater, Bill Spruill, Jason Prater, Alvin Thomas, Kenneth Turner, & Ricky Hayes, Jr. Honorary pallbearers: Malcolm Prater, Jr., Larry Prater, Robert Prater, Christopher Prater, Milbert Washington, James Ray Washington, Ricky Hayes, Bert Bazert, Melvin Eldridge, Jimmy Prater, Jimmy Caldwell, & Donald Martin.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Malcolm E. Prater, Sr.; parents, Milton & Isaqeena Washington; son, Gerald Prater; 8 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 3 brothers, Milton Washington, Edward Washington, Arthur Washington; 2 sisters, Vergie Murray & Henrietta Augustine; a son-in-law and a daughter-in-law.

Visitation will begin at 9:00am until 11:00am on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at Salem Baptist Church in Bunkie.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Escude Funeral Home (318-964-2324) 552 Front St. Cottonport, LA 71327.