Marjorie Jean King Pratt, 89, died Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009 after a valiant struggle with congestive heart failure.
She was born May 9, 1920 in Evansville, Ind., and moved with her parents to Baldwin County that year. In the course of her 89 years, she held a wide variety of work, service and volunteer positions. Most recently, she served as a part-time telephone receptionist at the Baldwin County Council on Aging until her illness this past summer.
While at the Council On Aging, she started and conducted a weekly handicrafts class for local residents and “snowbird” visitors known as “The Yarnspinners.” The group is known for its volunteer service in making and donating crocheted and knitted items for the Veterans Administration Home in Biloxi, Miss.; St. Jude's Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.; and the Family Resource Center in Robertsdale.
In 1996 she completed more than 30 years at the Foley Nursing Home, first as a nursing aide, then for 27 years as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Prior to her nursing career she volunteered her time to her church, community and family with service as a member of Infant Jesus of Prague Church in Silverhill and St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Robertsdale; served as a school bus driver for Christ The King School in Daphne and worked as a meat-cutter and hairdresser during the war years in Robertsdale; also president of the Robertsdale High School Class of 1939. At age 48, she took up the sport of golf joining her husband as members of the Golf Shores Golf Club. and she served one term as president of the Gulf Shores Ladies Golf Association.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John Herbert King, Ada John Lamon King; brother, John Lamon King; her husband, Edward James "Ted" Pratt Sr; and a daughter, Ellen Jean Pratt Davis.
Survivors include three sons, Edward James “Eddie” (Gloria) Pratt Jr., Dennis King (Glenda) Pratt and Theodore John “Ted” (Barri) Pratt; eight grandchildren, Justin Michael (Tina) Davis, Jason Pratt Davis, Jessica Jean Davis (Hank) Miner, Andrea Leigh Pratt (James) Boozer, Edward James (Natasha) Pratt III, Daniel Martin (Rebecca) Pratt and Hannah Olivia Pratt; and eight great-grandchildren, Harrison Boozer, Clay and Cameron Davis, Ellie, Hank Jr. and Anne Miner, Tara Lister and Stephen Lightle.
A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 24 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Robertsdale with Father William James officiating. Burial will follow at Baldwin Memorial Cemetery in Robertsdale.
Pallbearers are her grandsons, Justin Davis, Jason Davis, Daniel Pratt, Edward Pratt III, James Boozer and Hank Miner.
The family requests memorial donations be made to St. Patrick's Catholic Church and School.
Arrangements are by Mack Funeral Home and Crematory, Robertsdale.
