Tribute to Willistine "Fat" Prather, a Prathertown Matriarch and Living Legend

A Celebration Of Life

Willistine Octavia Prather

October 3, 1938 - December 13, 2025

A TIME TO LOVE

Willistine Octavia Prather (Fat) was the comedy central of the community and everywhere she went. She grew up with

a sharp and funny personality filling those around her with laughter and uncertainty you will never forget.

A TIME TO LAUGH

With a joyful spirit, a loving heart and a gift to make everyone laugh, her words became unforgettable, her laugh became infectious and for a moment the conversation would be saying the wrong things at the wrong time. Fat could make you laugh. Her spirit was something you carried with you as you earned the words “ are you related to “Fat Prather.” She had the personality that no matter what she said she could never taunt your spirit. It would always end in a real hard laugh. Some of her funny stories were beating a leaf she saw in the hallway that she thought was a frog, or the snake falling out of the tree on her shoulder, or pea soup given to her by a friend that was the worst soup she had ever tasted. Fat was fascinated over colors. Checks, stripes, flowers, polka dots, leopard prints, tiger stripes, hair color, head wrap matching shoes of many styles especially sneakers, all put together at the same time but well matched’ will be remembered as the character of a loving and special friend.

A TIME TO REMEMBER 

She loved beauty and crafts. She would say she got it from her Father Joseph Prather Sr. “I’m carrying on my fathers legacy” The landscaping at her home was immaculate. The flowers, artificial and some fresh, the chairs, and carved animals painted over many times and a different color every year, and even painting fresh flowers. She often talked about her friends and the students at Magruder Highschool, employment at MCPS that brought her much joy and contentment. Fat sang with the Montgomery Echoes with her cousins and friend, a choir directed by the late Rev. James E, Prather. Fat has a special cousin, Carolyn, who played together all the time and became an endearing sister. The two of them often expressed their school days in Jr. to Senior High where they were together in the same classroom all those years. Jean, the friend who gave her the delicious pea soup said what fun, laughter, sharing meals, and remembering old times they had together. One day she said Jean “ you’re my savior, when we talk, I can remember everything”

A TIME TO MOURN

Time can be of swift transition, on Saturday, December 13, 2025 “Fat” earthly journey ended but the light of her life will forever shine through the countless lives she touched.

W - WITTY L - LANGUAGE T - TALKATIVE

I - INNOCENT I - IGNORE I - INTRIGUING 

L - LAUGHABLE S - SERIOUS N - NICE

E -EVERYBODY FRIEND

From the Prathertown Living Legends