Kenneth Thomas Bean Prater, of Cleveland, TN, died Saturday morning, February 28, 2015 with his family at his side.
Kenneth went to live with his adoptive parents and went to school for the first time at Arnold Elementary at the age of 11. He gave his heart to the Lord as a teenager at North Cleveland Church of God. He was also an Army veteran of peace keeping time in Korea. He loved his Savior, his family and he loved to laugh.
He was preceded in death by his birth parents, Byrd and Dora Prince Bean of Cleveland; brothers, Byrd Jr., George, Joe W. and Harmon; sister, Nellie Bean of Cleveland; his adoptive parents, General Thomas (Pap) and Helen Elizabeth Harrel Prater also of Cleveland; and two sons, Danny Thomas Prater and Denis Thomas Prater.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Florence Elizabeth Martin Prater; children, Dale Martin and Darla Jeannine Ledford Prater; brothers and sisters, Marlin and Winnie Bean, Nina Helton and sister-in-law Julie Bean all of Monroe, MI and Margaret Randolph of Chattanooga; grandsons, Denis Thomas Prater Jr. and wife Abby of St. Louis, MO, David Martin Prater and wife Ashley of Calhoun, GA; three great-grandchildren; and four brothers-in-law and their extended families.
Visitation will be held at the North Cleveland Dixon Chapel, Friday, March 6, from 5-6 p.m. with a celebration of life service at 6 p.m. with Pastors Mitch Maloney, Edmond Stallings and W.C. Vaughn officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Family Home & Hospice Care of Cleveland, TNwww.homecare-easttn.com/cleveland-tn-home-health or Church of God World Missions www.cogwm.org.
Companion Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.