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MARY CHRISTINE HOLLIFIELD PRATER

Mary Christine Hollifield Prater, 93, of Hayesville died Friday (May 23, 2008) in a Murphy care center.  A native and lifelong resident of Clay County, she was the daughter of the late Luther Edgar and Mae Coleman Hollifield and the wife of the late William Glen Prater, who died Feb. 15, 1975.  She was the Associate Editor of the Clay County News in 1943. She was elected the first female mayor of Hayesville in 1956 and retired in 1979 as Assistant Vice-President of Wachovia Bank after 27 years in banking.  She was a member of the Hayesville First United Methodist Church where she served on various committees.  She was past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 11, past President of the PTA, past Secretary of the American Red Cross Local Chapter, and was a Red Cross Gray Lady.  She was also active in the Clay County Historical and Arts Council.
 
Surviving are a daughter, Glenda Prater Murray of Apex, NC; a son, Michael Prater and wife, Audrey of Snellville, GA; two grandchildren, Dr. Anthony Hall and wife, Ann of Cary, NC and Lannette Hall of Apopka, FL; and two great grandchildren, Phillip Hall and Mary Kathryn Hall both of Cary.
 
Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM Sunday (May 25) in the Chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville with the Rev. Kirk Hatherly officiating. Interment was held in the Hayesville First United Methodist Church Cemetery.  Pallbearers were Larry Coleman, Jimmy, Fred, Lynn, and Dennis Hollifield, and Sonny Bettis.
 
The family received friends from 12-1:45 Sunday afternoon at the Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville prior to the services.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Mary Christine Hollifield Prater to the Hayesville First United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, PO Box 85, Hayesville, NC 28904.
 
Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville in charge of all arrangements.
 

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