Judy Pratt
“Judy” Judith A. Pratt (Nee Prather)
Beloved Wife of Larry Pratt; Dear Sister of Jean Prather, Chuck (Liz) Prather, and Richard (Denise) Prather; Dear Aunt of Lauren Prather, Nicholas Prather, Matthew Prather and Nathan Prather; Dear Cousin and Dear Friend of many.
On Thursday, April 17, 2014, Judy began a journey that will reunite her with her parents in the kingdom of heaven.
Judy was a carefree, fun loving person who enjoyed life. She loved playing softball, going to the beach and traveling, as well as attending “Happy Hours” whenever friends were available. She enjoyed being with her family, relatives, and her many, many friends.
Judy was a lifelong resident of St. Louis, MO. She was happily married to Larry for nearly 32 years. Judy worked for 34 years at the United States Department of Agricultures’ Farmers Home Administration, which was later renamed Rural Development. She rose through the ranks from a GS-2 to GS-13, Computer Programmer, before retiring in September 2003 to take care of her elderly father.
She was a long-time member of the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 7980 in Millstadt, Illinois.
Judy was an inspiration to many for her courage in the handling of her illness. She was a beacon of light, warmth and kindness which ended prematurely.
Judy, you were a good friend to me. I know that you are in God’s hands now, but I will remember all the fun times at your house at Christmas playing Trivial Pursuit. I will miss you. Goodbye, dear friend.
Judy, Larry and I worked together at FmHA. My deepest sympathy.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Kevin and Karen Murphy
You will be missed dear friend. I am a better person for having know you.
Larry, Please receive my deepest sympathy. I pray that you find comfort in all the beautiful memories both of you shared.
My heart broke upon learning of Judy’s passing. She was truly one of the most courageous & positive people I’ve ever known. My prayers will continue now for Larry, Jean & all of the loved ones she’s left behind to remember Judy for the beautiful, loving woman she was. Her sister in Christ, Dee
This was sad news to hear of Judy’s passing. I met Judy so many years ago when we rode the bus together and did not even realize we were walking up Market St. to the same building. We struck up a conversation one day and remained friends since then. I had not seen Judy the last few years but I have kept up with her progress and setback fighting this ugly cancer. I still have the card with the ribbon on it and book mark she gave me at a mutual friends funeral service a few years back. I thought of her daily and though I hate to hear the news of her passing, I am so glad she is not suffering any longer. She gave it a good fight, rest easy dear Judy.
Judy, I am really going to miss you. We worked together at the “home” for a long time and that’s how we became very good friends. I will remember all the good times we had going to shows, dinner, trivia nights, BBQs and just hanging with the girls. Through your illness you were an inspiration for me and made me want to be a better person. Love you forever.
Judy was not only a good friend, but also a good person. She was thoughtful and kind, and always ready to help others who needed it. I will miss her, her kind spirit, and her sense of humor. Larry, Jean, Richard, Denise, Lauren, Matt, Chuck, Liz, Nicholas, and Nathan, you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
We are so sorry for your loss, Rich. It only reminds us to always count our blessings for each healthy day and to never let too much time pass between times when our family is all together. Our thoughts are with you.
Larry & family – I’m so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Judy is my friend and always a cheerleader for everyone who knew her. Her Email updates always gave me a lift and put life into perspective. I will truly miss her.
I reconnected with Judy a couple of years ago at GNO and we greeted each other like it had been days instead of years since seeing each other. She was such a beautiful, loving person whose faith always lifted me up. I’ll miss her. Sincere sympathy, Larry and Jean, and to all her loving family.
So sorry to hear of Judy’s passing she fought a good fight. May she rest in peace now. Larry my sympathies to you and all of Judy’s family.
i had the pleasure of working with judy at the farm years ago…a very positive, spirited young woman whom i grew to admire and cherish. Her beauty was profound, & friendship, warm and inviting she would reach out to an utter stranger and perfect what ever ailed that one…. our prayers are for you larry, you will gain strength to go on as you take on this new journey… Judy would want that for you…because she cherished you… your usda family of friends we care……..
Judy was such an inspiration to me. I worked with Judy for so many years and she was truly a good person. I miss you so much already. So sorry Larry and family for your loss.
My prayers go out to Larry and the rest of Judy’s family… She was such a loving woman… MY GOD BLESS U ALL… Cindy from USDA…
I remember when i first started at Farmers Home in 1981 and started palying softball with Larry and Judy would always come to the games and we talked and had a great time at games and then left FMHA and came back in 2000 to see Larry still there and it was like nothing changed, went to the horse races with Larry and Judy the last couple of years and Judy always had a great spirit to fight cancer and its a shame that cancer won but Judy got more years with Larry and family. Cancer is a bad bad thing that takes too many lives too early, hopefully one day they find a cure for it. Sympathy to Larry and his family and Judy and her family, she was a very nice, pleasant, personable person to be around and will be greatly missed.
Judy & Larry were the first and most dedicated patrons of Smugala’s Pizza Pub in Oakville! Always coming in to eat (and she ate lots~for being such a the Lil Gal!). I so enjoyed having conversation with her! Judy shared her great Spirit & Love & Inspiration with All..Despite dealing with Cancer. She taught Us All To JUST Live!! I know she has been welcomed to Heaven with open arms..May God Take care of Larry, and all of us who will miss her here.
Larry & Family, you will remain in my prayers as Judy smiles down upon you for she has now become your Guardian Angel. She will be missed but at least she suffers no more. Miss you Judy.
Judy will truly be missed by us all. It was a pleasure getting to know her through her humor, belief in God and love of life. My life has been enriched by knowing her and she will live on in my heart. She has touched so many lives and she will continue to live on through the people she has touched.
We were very sad to hear the news of Judy’s passing. Her path that lead her home to God was not an easy one, and yet it was very inspirational. After I retired I got to see and talk with Judy several times. I saw her amazing strength, her faith and her genuine love and kinds to everyone. She always had an uplifting spirit that just made you smile. To Larry and family our heart and our prayers are with you. She is resting in God’s care.
Judy was such a beautiful person on the inside as well as on the outside. She was always smiling and enjoyed life. She was a angel here on earth and has now moved on to her heavenly home. RIP Judy. You will be missed on earth but will be in our hearts. My thoughts and prayers go out to Larry and the rest of the family.
Denise, Rich, Larry and family: So very sorry for your loss – such a premature departure! What guts Judy had to hang in there. On the few occasions I (Jo) was around Judy, I was struck by her positive attitude in general. I truly think that in some way we shall all regroup on the other side.
What wonderful times that were had through the years. Judy was a kind and considerate person. She fought her fight with such dignity. I don’t know how she found the energy to be so positive. What a role model for us all.
Larry, Jean, Rich, and Chuck,
My deepest sympathy to all of you. Judy was such a Great Friend and an inspiration to all. She will be truly missed. May all of the wonderful memories bring you comfort in the years ahead. Sister Marie David said that a true friend will make you a better person. Judy, you truly did and you truly were!
We are so sorry for your loss Larry. Judy was a bright light full of energy and love. We were all lucky to have been touched by her. I remember her laugh most of all. As I’m sure everyone else does too. She really laughed. And I remember how smart. There was nothing she couldn’t figure out. Combined with how hard she worked every day Judy was a force we all stood in awe of. But always and formost when I think of Judy was how much she loved. Her mom, her dad, her family, her friends and you Larry. Take care.
Judy was one of the most sweetest and kindest person I ever met. It is so painful to think that she lost her battle with that horrible disease, but she is at peace now. Larry, I give you my deepest sympathy over her death, but you really have not lost her. You loved her and she is still in your heart and will always remain there.
So sorry to hear of Judy’s passing. She was truly an inspiration to all. She fought a courageous battle, but is now cancer-free and at peace. My deepest sympathy to Larry and all her family.
As I have always told Judy….You are always in my mind and heart…I will miss you always. Thank you for letting me a part of your life. You are what is known as a “good friend” but even more than that I consider you one of my best friends. Tell Charlie and Rita hi for me and keep listening because I will be talking to you from my heart. My prayers are with all of you.