Ed "Peewee" Prater

On December 26th, surrounded by the family he loved and provided for, the Lord called Ed “Peewee” Prater home. Ed was born May 23, 1927, in Newberry SC to Sumter Otis Prater and Louella Koon Prater. A proud Navy man, Ed volunteered for service in 1943 at the age of 16 and served in the Pacific, arriving in Nagasaki 8 days after the atomic bomb. Following his honorable discharge, Ed made his way home to Batesburg, SC where he met the love of his life and wife of 69 years, Frances “Frankie” Celeste Williams.

Ed was the consummate people person, therefore an excellent salesman. A highlight of his sales career was the sale of the first large cargo cranes to the SC Ports Authority. Ed was a supportive participant in his children’s activities, including coaching little league, pony and colt league baseball. The Prater household was the gathering place for all the children’s friends and neighborhood kids. Ed loved his VFW Posts, music and dancing. Ed could be counted on to get any party going by being first…and last…on the dance floor. Ed loved traveling and especially cruises with Frankie, friends and family (especially when he got a “deal”).

Following his retirement, Ed remained an active salesman and people person in and around flea markets in SC. Everyone who frequented flea markets or Ed’s garage sales loved visiting with him and nothing made him happier than to buy something for a quarter and sell it for 50 cents.

In addition to Frankie, Ed is survived by four beloved children; Jim (Julia), Marsha Kirkland, Becky Brown, and Kent; grandchildren Eric Brewer, Rebecca Gordon and Carrie Rachel Dean; six great-grandchildren and the stories of a life will lived and enjoyed to the fullest.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at the Ridgecrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Batesburg-Leesville, SC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the VFW Post of one’s choice.