Rowena F. Prater

Rowena South-Newman-Prater, age 88, lost her battle with breast cancer on Thursday, October 20, 2011 surrounded by family at Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe. Rowena was preceded in death by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Wm. H. South of Canaanville, husbands Rowland Newman and Casey Prater, and son Larry Newman.

She was born in Athens County on December 14, 1922 as a twin sister to Faustena Jordan. Sisters Faustena and Velma Wyeth both died as a result of breast cancer. She was also preceded in death by sisters Doris Wyeth and Vollet South; and by brothers, Kenneth South, Norval South, Delmar South and Clifford South.

She is survived by daughter, Patricia Robert Orth of McArthur, and son, Robert Cinda Darlene Newman of Hamden. Special nephews are Richard Betty Jordan, William Sharon Jordan, Roger Linda Jordan. She has eight grandchildren; Tamie Goodwin, Marsha Ward, Johnna Salmons, Elisha Orth, John Newman, Misty Nichols, Cinda Newman, and Linda Chmlelewsk.

Her great-grandchildren are Dane, Brody, Hunter, Tyler, Josie, Max, Dillon, Chase, Jonathon, Jennylynn, Sydney, Lucas, R.J., Jordan, Leeann, Sara and Kelly. There are also many nieces and nephews. In the final week, she had many visitors, family and friends, at the hospital and received excellent care from the staff.

Rowena retired as McArthur Mayor's Clerk and as Dispatcher for the Vinton County Sheriff's Office.

She was a four-time cancer survivor before succumbing, after her most recent treatment and surgery. Her family appreciates the care that was given to her in her last days, and all the prayers and support from everyone who visited her and prayed for her recovery. She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed as a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She brightened up the lives of those who knew her.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00PM Sunday in the Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home, McArthur with Rev. Jim Henderson officiating. Interment will be in Elk Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 11AM until time of service.

Please sign her online guestbook at www.cardaras.com