Allyne Prater

(From Parker Mortuary)

Mrs. Allyne Boey Prater, of Joplin, MO, passed away at home on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at the age of 88.

Allyne was born to Alfred Charles and Lillian Ann (Leyritz ) Boey on November 28, 1928 in Cleveland, OH. She grew up as the youngest of two children and attended Incarnate Word Academy and St Michael’s High School. Allyne received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio and taught elementary grades in the United States and around the world. She received her Master’s degree in Special Education from Western Illinois University and taught Special Ed in Chesterland, OH, and Burlington, IA until her retirement after 31 years.

Her desire to see the world took her to teaching positions in Barranquilla, Columbia and to Saudi Arabia where she met William Roscoe Prater. They were married on Feb 4, 1959, at Manama, Bahrain Island in the Persian Gulf.

She was a devout Catholic and was a member of St Mary’s Catholic Church in Joplin, MO. Allyne was a humble servant of God, doing volunteer work in every community where she lived. She was most proud of working with orphans in Mother Teresa’s mission in Cairo, Egypt. She gratefully served communion to the bedridden in Bella Vista, Arkansas and was a familiar face at St. Mary’s Catholic Church where she was a dutiful check in minister. She attended bible study faithfully for many years and enjoyed the fellowship of her friends there.

She loved to cook and the family gathered every year for her Thanksgiving dinners. Her principal hobbies were playing bridge, Sudoku and traveling, taking 26 cruises and many family trips around the world. Her favorite adventure was a trip from Columbia to Machu Picchu in Peru before her marriage.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Lillian Boey, her sister, Audrey Tube, and her son-in-law, Dr. Tom Ward. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Roscoe Prater, four children: Dr. Carolyn Prater, Joplin, MO, Sarah Fisher and her husband Alan, Corpus Christi, TX, Tracy Ressa and husband Brian, Syracuse, UT, and Col. John Prater , retired and wife Tracy, and her niece Lori Chapin and nephew Paul Clardy. She was blessed to know her grandchildren, Connor Ward, Grant, Bryce and Camryn Prater, and David, Joseph and Maggie Ressa , step-grandchildren: Chris Fisher and wife Brandy, Tammy Fisher, Michael Fisher, and Jason Fisher and wife Tracy, and step-great-grandchildren: Anissa, Hailee, Jade, Drake, Nicholas, Isabelle, Jaxton and Brantley. They will all hold her in their hearts forever.

Her wish that her body be donated for scientific research will be honored and a burial ceremony will be held when the remains are returned next year. A funeral Mass will be said at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Joplin, MO on Friday, November 24 at 11:00 am.

Condolences may be sent to the family at Parker Mortuary in Joplin. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Allyne’s favorite charities, Catholic Charities and APUFRAM Honduras.