Phyllis Byars Prater was born on January 06, 1963 to Douglas and Clara Byars. She was the oldest of 3 children. Phyllis was a devout wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. You could always find a smile on Phyllis’ face and a warm kind greeting whenever you saw her. She was beautiful inside and out and always “put together”. Her servant heart and her kindness defined Phyllis. She was the epitome of a good Samaritan.
Even at a young age, her strong work ethic, her organizational skills, her “get it done” attitude, some might call that bossiness, and she would be okay with that adjective because it prepared her for her future endeavors of being a business owner, organizer, and a pillar of the community.
Phyllis was a 1981 graduate of Warren County High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society and the Senior Class Secretary-Treasurer. To be honest, if you think of any high school club or office, she was probably a part of it. She loved being involved at a young age which carried over into her adult life.
Phyllis had many jobs, but the job the Warren County Community will remember her most from is her business, Prater’s BBQ. Phyllis did not have a wall full of degrees, but what did make her successful at Praters, and in life, could not be taught, because the kindness and charity that she showed came from her heart.
Phyllis was a member of the Church of Christ at Westwood. She was a board member of the Warren County Chamber of Commerce where she was recently recognized with the Edwin Partin Retailer of the Year award. Phyllis was an alumnus of Junior Auxiliary and was featured in Living 50 Plus in the Southern Standard.
Phyllis had a long list of accolades and her accomplishments throughout her short life; however, her greatest accomplishments were her love of God and her family. She could often be seen cheering her grandchildren on at a ballgame, cheer competition, or picking them up from school, because her life revolved around her family. Each member of her family knew how much they meant to her, because she loved them so deeply.
As mentioned before, Phyllis was a devout Christian, an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend – this too could have been an award she would have won – hands down. Phyllis will forever live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and her community. We will Love and Miss you Forever Phyllis.
Phyllis is preceded in death by her father Douglas Byars and is survived by her husband Gary Prater who cherished her so, her loving mother Clara Byars, her children Tyler (Brittany) Herriman, Brandi Prater, and Travis (Meredith) Prater, sister Gina (Joel) Hausler, brother Roger (Crystal) Byars, brother-in-law Tommy Prater, sisters-in-law Linda (Charles) Hale, Elaine (Holly) Holobaugh, and Jean Stephens, grandchildren Tylee Herriman, Briley Herriman, Taylan Herriman, Kole Higgins, Kennedi Higgins, Ellis Prater, and Owen Prater, special nieces Katelyn (Ty) Bryan, Kassidy (Kaden) Davenport, Vicki (Derrick) Roberts, and Stephanie (Todd Dunn) George, special great-nephews Ryder Davenport, Dylan (Elisabeth) George, Curtlan (Lexie Thomas) George, and Layne Roberts, special great-great nieces Millie George and Willow George, as well as several other nieces, nephews, family members and a host of close friends and acquaintances.
Funeral services were conducted October 29, 2024, at Westwood Church of Christ. Michael Rowand officiated. Interment followed at Centertown Cemetery.
The Phyllis Prater Scholarship Fund has been set up. Anyone wishing to donate may do so at any Security Federal branch. Memorial donations may also be made to Meals on Wheels, Kids of the Community, or to McMinnville Special Games.