Betty Jean Bowen Prater, 78, of Manchester passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, March 13.
Born in Madison, Tenn., to the late “H.K.” and Wilma Bowen, Betty devoted her life to being a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother. Betty was a 1961 Manchester Central High School graduate, where she played basketball as a Raiderette, then furthered her education by attending Middle Tennessee State University and Motlow Community College, where she obtained an associate’s degree of science in 1987. Betty worked a variety of jobs over her career, including Coffee County Agricultural and Conservation Services and was a 27-year retiree of City Bank and Trust Company of McMinnville where she served as loan officer, vice president and branch manager. Betty was a member of the National Association of Banking Women, Manchester Soroptimist Women’s Club and McMinnville Business Professional Women’s Club. She was a member of Summitville Church of Christ of Summitville, but attended services at the Church of Christ in Morrison. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, music, dancing and most of all, spending time with her family. Betty will surely be missed by her loving family, friends and community.
Other than her parents, she is preceded in death by one son, Leonard Huston Prater Jr. and one brother, John Howard Bowen.
Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Leonard “Small” Prater Sr., one son John (Elizabeth) Prater, one daughter Brandi Bowen Prater Harmon, one sister Mary “Mert” (David) Duvall, six grandchildren, Houston Tyler (Bobby) Prater, John Mitchell Bowen Prater, Scarlett Elizabeth Prater, Trace David Harmon, Isla Elizabeth Prater and Greyson John Prater, and a host of special nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Visitation will be held at Coffee County Funeral Chapel in Manchester, on Wednesday, March 16, from 4 to 8 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Coffee County Funeral Chapel on Thursday, March 17, at 1 p.m. with Clarence Smith officiating. Interment to immediately follow at Shady Grove Cemetery in Morrison. Sign the online guestbook at www.coffeecountyfuneralchapel.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Shady Grove Cemetery Fund in care of Brian Hewett, 418 Herman Lance Rd. Morrison, TN, 37357, or Adoration Hospice of Manchester, 851 McArthur St., Manchester, TN, 37355. The Prater family expresses gratitude to Sandra Cook, Vicki Farrar and Adoration Hospice of Manchester employees.
Coffee County Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) March 16, 2022
