Verna Irene (Blankenship) Prater

Verna Irene “Blankenship” Prater, age 67, resident of Freeburn, Kentucky was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on February 28th, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.  

Verna was born on March 12th, 1957, in Grundy, Virginia, a cherished daughter of the late Earl and Amy Blankenship.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded by her loving husband, Donald Prater SR.; and her two brothers, Roger Blankenship, and Larry Blankenship.

Verna was a proud homemaker and caring for her family was one of her main priorities.  She was a member of Gooslin Bottom Pentecostal Church and loved serving the Lord.  

Verna enjoyed collecting red trucks and angels.  She liked to sit on her porch and watch traffic.  Verna was always ready to go shopping, especially if someone was taking her to the dollar tree.  She also enjoyed working on her crossword puzzles and coloring.

Those surviving Verna include her adored children, Donnie Prater Jr. (Joyce) of Williamson, WV, Millard “Dickie” Prater (Amy) of Freeburn, KY, Regina Mounts (Paul) of Matewan, WV, Glady Stanley (Donnie) of SC, and Eugenia “Floss” Prater of Freeburn, KY; one brother, Harry Blankenship (Darlene) of Stopover, KY; and three sisters, Betty Dotson of Stopover, KY, Roxie Mullins (Fleming) of Hurley, VA, and Ernestine Prater of Stopover, KY.

Verna was the proud grandmother to Latasha Scott, Brionna Spence, Ryan Prater, Sonny Prater, Savanna Prater, Shawn Prater, Kolton Thomas, Jackie Stanley, Paul Mounts Jr., Mirah Stacy, Matthew Bandy, Allie Bandy, Katelyn Prater, Autumn Prater, Emily Prater, Landon Prater, Amy Prater, Courtney Forinter, Timmy Dotson, CJ Hatfield, Madison Hatfield, Morgan Hatfield, and Jordan Hatfield and the great-grandmother to 32 children.  

Visitation will be held at 6:00 P.M. on March 2nd, 2025 with special services at 7:00 P.M. at the Woodman Community Church with Pastor Benny Freeman officiating.

Funeral services will begin at 12:00 noon March 3rd, 2025 at the church with Pastor Odis Blankenship Officiating.  
Interment will follow at the Prater Cemetery in Woodman, Kentucky with friends & family serving as Pallbearers.

Donations can be made directly to the Funeral Home to help offset expenses for Verna’s service.

Jones & West Funeral Home of Phelps, Kentucky will be serving the Prater Family.  Our guestbook may be viewed online at www.joneswestfh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Verna Irene (Blankenship) Prater, please visit our floral store.