Mr. James Earl Prater, age 79 went home to be with Jesus and reunited with his wife and family that have been waiting for his arrival at 2:39 p.m. Monday March 1, 2021.

James Earl was born June 2, 1941 in Sparta, Tennessee to the late Johnnie M. & Thelma Ray Hodge Prater. He was retired from Mallory and was well known as an attendant at the convenience centers located around White County. He was a founding father of PRC-Praise Restoration Center as he held one of the keys that opened that building in 1987. Brother James served as a Sunday School teacher, board member, Vice President, and President of the Church Board. He always had a smiling and inviting face with a kind word and kind heart, welcoming both members and visitors to PRC. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his wife Diana Charlyn Ray Prater who died February 26, 2004.

Survivors include his son Dwayne Earl Prater of Sparta

Granddaughter: LaTisha Angelene (Dale) Tower of Cookeville

Great-grandchildren: Lidia Mae Tower and Braxton Lee Tower

Close friend and companion: Barbara Burgess of Sparta

Brothers:  Horace (Thelma) Prater, Bobby (Janis) Prater all of Sparta, David (Sandy) Prater of Central, S.C., Rufus (Jenny) Prater of Salisbury, MD

Sister: JoAnna (Ken) Gouge of Knoxville

A host of nieces and nephews

Funeral services will be conducted 11:00am Thursday, March 4, 2021 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Rose Chapel Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 4-7:00pm. J.C. Allen and Henry Roark will officiate.

Mike Prater, Sam Prater, Robbie Prater, Dale Harris, Ken Gouge and Todd Eller will serve as pallbearers.