Mickey Marie (Benoit) Prather, 89, gained her wings on Jan. 4, 2023, in Shreveport, La.
Born in Lake Charles, La., on April 23, 1933, Mickey lived most of her life there until she moved to Bossier City, La., in Aug. 2020. She married James Prather on July 7, 1956. After working at Gulf National Bank for 12 ½ years, she resigned to assist James with the bookkeeping portion of his pest control business. She remained dedicated to that role for a total of 38 ½ years until James retired and closed the business in March 1995.
Mickey was totally committed to her roles as wife, mother, and grandmother. When James fell ill with dementia, Mickey took care of him the very best she could, in spite of her own physical decline. When he went into nursing care at the height of the COVID pandemic, Mickey visited him faithfully, seated on her walker outside of his bedroom window. She was equally devoted to being a mother and grandmother, displaying an unwavering love and concern for Terri, Sherri, and Grady. She taught them how to love and be loved and the importance of self-sacrifice for the greater good.
A woman of quiet faith and a member of Grand Lake Faith Temple in Lake Charles, she supported James in his various ministries over the years. In her later years, she made many new friends in Northwest Louisiana and enjoyed singing, reading and completing countless word search puzzles.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, James Prather; her parents, Odel and Theresa Benoit; brother J.D. “Sonny” Benoit and sisters Ella Mae Labby, Elizabeth Ann Doré and Josie Benoit.
Mickey is survived by her daughters, Terri Robinson and husband David, Sherri Bohannon and husband Shawn, grandson, Grady Savant; her sister, Linda Ritter, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, at First Church of the Nazarene on Holly Hill Road, Lake Charles, La., officiated by Pastor Kris Howerton. Burial will follow at Benoit Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 – 9 p.m., on Sunday, January 8 at the church, and from 8:30 – 10 a.m. prior to the service on Monday, all under the direction of Lakeside Funeral Home.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Montclair Park Assisted Living Center and Christus Hospice for the love and compassion shown to Mickey in her final days.
Memories and words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.lakesidefh.com.