Maxine Cole Prather

Maxine Cole Prather died peacefully with her daughter by her side, September 10,2021 at Caton Merchant House, Manassas, Va., where she had resided for the last 4 years. She was born September 15, 1917 in Emerson, Iowa, the daughter of William A and Dessa M. Cole who preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death was her sister, Ferne L. Cole Meier and brother Wayne W. Cole, her son-in Law W. James Werner M.D. and her beloved husband Russell Prather who died in 1999. She was married to Gerald E. Bisbee in Waterloo, Iowa 1940 to 1970. On September 30 1972 she married Russell J. Prather in Evanston, Illinois. She attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa and graduated from Gates Business College in Waterloo, Iowa. She worked as Administrative Assistant at Rath Packing Co., Waterloo, Iowa; and Northwestern University in the Psychology Department, Evanston, Illinois; and the Presbyterian Church, Arlington Heights, Illinois. She was a member of the St. Thomas United Methodist Church in Manassas, Virginia; The P.E.O. Sisterhood; The United Methodist Women, Dorcas Circle; and the Owls. She moved to Manassas, Va. July, 2002. Survivors include five children: Dr. Gerald E. Bisbee, Jr., wife, Linda, of New Canaan, Ct.; Susan K. Bisbee Werner, Haymarket, Va.; Grant Prather, wife Marybeth, of Johnsburg, Il.; Kent Prather, wife, Julie, of Loveland, Co.; Sandra L. Prather Merritt, husband, Ralph, of Crystal Lake, Il. She is also survived by eleven Grandchildren and fifteen Great Grandchildren: Gary Bisbee III, wife Carey, and children Gary IV, and Noelle of Riverside, Ct.; Katie Bisbee and daughter Lucy, of New Canaan, Ct.; Jeremy Werner, wife Iesha and sons, Vegas and Wallace (Ace), of Haymarket, Va.; Scott Werner, Partner Sara Upton, and son Nico, Brooklyn, NY.; Jim Prather, wife Mary and daughters Halie & Annabelle of Johnsburg, Il.; David Prather, wife Debra and children Jake, and Kate, of Jacksonville, N.C.; Pamela Prather Mahoney and children, Dillon, Sean, and Shannon, of Elgin, Il.; Jeannine Prather, of Elgin, Il.; Montana Prather, of Loveland, Co.; Steven Merritt , wife Mindy, and daughter, Abigail of Crystal Lake, Il.; Barbara Merritt Turner, husband Cliff, and daughter Kalyn, of Crystal Lake Il. She adopted Manassas, Va., as her home 20 years ago, and was one of the first residents of Quarry Station, Independent Living Apartments till her 100th Birthday. She loved spending most weekends in the woods and on a mountain with her daughter, Susan, in Haymarket, Va. When on the mountain, she loved to plant in the garden and watch hummingbirds. She was well loved by all of her Children, Grand Children, and Great Grand Children and many friends, who frequently traveled to join her in Manassas, Va., every five years for her momentous birthdays (90, 95, & 100). She attributed her long and healthy life to a wee dram of Scotch on Friday and Saturday, and Laughter and joy every day of the week. Burial will be in Memory Gardens, Arlington Heights, Il, under the direction of Price Funeral Home, Manassas, Va. Memorial contributions may be made to Caton Merchant House, 9201 Portner Avenue, Manassas, Va. 20110.

Maxine Cole Prather

September 15, 1917 - September 10, 2021