Iva Marie Prather

Iva Prather died June 17, 2021 at the grand age of 99. She was born April 6, 1922 in Indianapolis, IN to Shirley and Helen Phillips. Iva had two siblings, Pocahontas, and Milton Phillips. Iva received her education from Indianapolis Public Schools where she attended Crispus Attucks High School. She married Nathaniel Watson and from that union they were blessed with 3 children, Nathaniel, Jr., Gloria and James Watson. Iva later married Booker T. Prather and she was united with four wonderful stepchildren, Booker T., Jr., Keria, Joseph and Jerry Prather. Iva loved music, dancing, and family gatherings. Iva also enjoyed going to the Christamore Senior Center where she participated in playing cards, dominoes and socializing with her friends there. She loved her church family at Mount Vernon Church where she had been a member for many years. Every Sunday that she attended brought joy to her heart, and at the end of the service she would always make her way to the front of the church to speak, provide a hug and receive a hug from Pastor Armstrong, whom she loved dearly. Above all she dearly loved her family and all the generations of the family were crazy about her. The younger generations loved her frankness, and definitely, her sense of humor. Iva is survived by her daughters, Gloria (Ronald) Smith, Keria Mosley, Mary Prather, sons, Booker (Glenda) Prather, Jerry (Cheryl) Prather, grandchildren, Cheryl (Wayne) Liggins, Angela Brown, Ardrees (Doris) Prather, Dionne (Kevin) Curd, Xandria (Richard) Staub, Joseph (Tashawanda) Prather, Brandi (Matthew) Vargas, Lisa Luellen, Chuck (Amy) Luellen, Sherry Turner, Michele(John) Price, Fowler Bailey, Richard Brown, niece, Sanetta (Raymond) Jenkins, and nephew, Michael Phillips. She was further blessed with 48 great grandchildren, 49 great-great grandchildren and a multitude of other family members and friends who loved her dearly loved and respected her. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband Booker Prather, sons, Nathaniel Watson, James Watson, Joseph Prather, and grandchildren, Keith Watson, Dalaurne Watson and Rhonda Brown, and nephew, Milton Phillips, Jr. Iva Prather was blessed to see seven generations in her lifetime, quite a legacy. Services will be held on Friday, July 2, 2021, 12:00 PM at Mount Vernon Community Missionary Baptist Church 709 N. Belmont Ave. Indianapolis, IN with visitation there from 10:00 AM until the service at 12:00PM. She will be laid to rest at Floral Park Cemetery. For those unable to attend in person the service will be streamed by logging on to this link: https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/iva-marie-prather-home-going-service
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association. Flanner Buchanan Floral Park are entrusted with these arrangements. To sign the online guestbook and share a favorite memory of Iva please go to www.flannerbuchanan.com