Mary Ann Prater Obituary

Mary Ann Prater – Dowden, 87, of Lebanon, Missouri, passed away on December 26, 2022, at Lebanon North Care Center. Mary Ann was born on September 6, 1935, in Lebanon, Missouri in a little log cabin to Fred and Bonnie Sien. She attended Mullican School near Lebanon. In 1955, Mary Ann married Walter Prater and to this union three children were born: Lonnie, David, and Bonnie.

Mary Ann was a homemaker for most of her life. She had a green thumb; she had flowers, vegetables, and anything else you can grow. She spent many hours canning vegetables and fruit and had baked goods at every meal. She plucked chickens and would never shy away from duties on the farm. Mary Ann and Walter had animals of every kind, and she would make them all pets. Life on the farm was good. After her children grew a little older, Mary Ann began working outside the home. She was a wonderful seamstress and loved to make clothes and quilts for her family.

Mary Ann is preceded in death by her husband, Walter Prater; her son, David Prater; her granddaughter, Loni Marie Prater; her second husband, Vernon Dowden; siblings: Orville Sien, Junior Sien, Leonard Sien, Dorothy Booker, Pauline Smith, and Bonnie Lou Rodden.

She is survived by two children: Lonnie Prater (Kathy) of Lebanon, Missouri and Bonnie Rabe (Jim) of Lebanon, Missouri; grandchildren: Regina, Katie, and James; great-grandchildren: Brittany, Jayden, Charlotte, and Harrison; siblings: Glen Sien, Albert Sien, Virgil Sien, Charlie Sien, Delbert Sien, Evalina McDaniel, and Opal Dowden, all of Lebanon, Missouri; many nieces and nephews, and host of other family and friends.

A visitation for Mary Ann will be held on Friday, December 30, 2022, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Prosperine Baptist Church near Lebanon. The funeral service will begin at 1:30 p.m. following visitation. Interment will take place at Prosperine Cemetery following the funeral service.