Veda May "Sis" Prather

Veda May "Sis" Prather, 95 of Fort Sumner, NM passed away Saturday, November 24, 2018 at Prairie Acres Nursing Home in Friona, Texas following an illness. Her family was at her bedside. Veda May was born January 3, 1923 in Frio, New Mexico the daughter of Walter and Ollie Ethel (Williamson) Bailey. A handwritten note from Bob states... "In 1929 one day on a farm in the valley, he met a red headed girl 6 years old who became his playmate and life long sweet heart". Veda attended and graduated from Fort Sumner High School in May 1942, the following month she married  her sweet heart, Robert "Bob" Prather on June 14, 1942 in the Nazarene Church at Fort Sumner. For several years Bob and Sis made their home at the south end of the Fort Sumner valley. While her children were still in school, Sis worked for the Museum at the Billy The Kid Gravesite, she also worked for Holland's Grocery, Presley Grocery and Creamery, and later as a clerk at Circle K, she also served as the Director of the Senior Citizens Center and for over 20 years worked for Juan and Barbara Chavez and the Chavez Funeral Home.Sis was a longtime member of the Valley Quilting Club. She enjoyed fishing, crocheting, embroidery, and quilting. She made many afghans and quilts she gave as gifts of love to her grandchildren, family members and friends.She is preceded in death by her parents and her only brother Pete Bailey 1990.A loving wife, mother, grandmother and dear friend, she is survived by her husband  of 76 years Robert "Bob" Prather of Friona, TX, two sons Buddy (Bea) Prather of Bovina, TX, Bill (Peggy) Prather of Bootleg, Texas, three daughters Anita Jane (Johnny) Williamson of Fort Sumner, Louise (Sammy) Petty of Fort Sumner, and Betty Ann (Moe) Berry of Fort Sumner. Also surviving are 19 grandchildren, Bobby (Angie) Williamson, Larry (Wendy) Williamson, Nancy Lynn (Glenn) Smith, Jeffery (Piper) Cole,  Sherry Lawler, Jim Bob (Casie) Prather, Pecos (Jill) Prather, Darrell (Jodi) Bishop, David Bishop, John (Kelly) Nelson, Jason Petty, Craig (Tina) Petty, Bonnie (Holt) Hutchinson, Beverly Berry (Tysonn), Michael Prather, Colt Prather, Criquette Prather, and Jeremiah Fortenberry, 28 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren along with a host of other relatives and friends.Visitation hours will be Thursday from 1pm to 6pm and Friday from 10am until service time at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, November 30, 2018 at the Chavez Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Sumner with Brother Virgil Mills and Bill Prather officiating. Burial will follow in the Bailey-Prather plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandsons Bobby Williamson, Larry Williamson, Colt Prather, Pecos Prather, Jim Bob Prather, Craig Petty, Jason Petty, Darrell Bishop, David Bishop, and John Nelson. Honorary bearers will be Michael Prather, Jeff Prather, Jeremiah Fortenberry, Brenton Williamson, Barrett Williamson, Chase Williamson, Austin Lawler, Jacob Lawler, Will Watts, Andrew Chavez, and Roberto Chavez.Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home,  830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (575) 355-2311.