Elbert J. Pratt

Fletcher – Elbert J. Pratt, 82 of White Pine Road, died Tuesday, December 13, 2005, in Elizabeth House in Flat Rock. A native of Stokes County, he was the son of the late Nathaniel and Artansy Lane Pratt. He also was preceded in death by two brothers, Otis and Earlie Pratt and three sisters, Hazel Montgomery, Edith Gordon and Evelyn Spainhour. Mr. Pratt graduated from Appalachian State University in 1947 and received his Masters Degree from George Peabody College in 1951. He was a high school math and history teacher, teaching in Haywood County from 1948 – 1954, in Richmond County 1955 – 1958 and in Buncombe County from 1958 through 1975 at Owen High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served in the Philippines, Asiatic-Pacific and European-African Theatres. Mr. Pratt is survived by his wife of 58 years, Amy Duckett Pratt; a daughter, Sarah Pratt of Denver Colorado; a son, Fred Pratt and his wife Donna of Fletcher; two grandchildren, Justin Pratt and Jay Pratt, and his wife Adele of Fletcher. One of fifteen children, he is survived by five sisters, Essie Spainhour and Margaret Smith of King, NC, Frances Fulk and Avis Bottoms of Pinnacle, NC and Ernestine Boner of Clemmons, NC; and four brothers, Gene Pratt and Dilmer Ray Pratt of King, NC and Grady Pratt and John Pratt of Pinnacle, NC. He also is survived by a sister-in-law, Muriel Pratt of Pinnacle, NC. A funeral service will be held at 12 noon Friday in the chapel of the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery conducted by the Rev. Randy Melton. The family will receive friends from 7 until 8:30 pm Thursday at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. Memorials may be made to Four Seasons Hospice, 581 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.