Jeanette H. Prater

Jeanette Marie Hebert Prater, 78, of Westlake passed away Saturday, December 21, 2024, at her residence with family by her side. 

 Jeanette was born in Lake Charles on March 21, 1946, to Henry and Marie Hebert, two very good people and good parents. Both of them taught Jeanette the importance of kindness and sharing. Always be curious and remember that knowledge is power and always strive to better yourself. She was taught that there is a God, Supreme being, and praying helped us get through life and that there is a Heaven.

Jeanette attended Central school and then went on to Lake Charles High School. She graduated in 1964 as a proud Wildcat and even more proud member of the precision marching group the Kilties. She then graduated from McNeese State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. She worked in the hospital setting for over 40 years helping the sick get better along with her colleagues and hospital staff. 

She married Richard Joe Prater and together they had two very good sons, Richard Bert and James Benjamin. They were her heart and her life. She so enjoyed being with her boys and experiencing life through their eyes. Then she lost her oldest son Bert. That was the greatest heart ache she ever suffered. The joy of life left her that day. But she realized she still had James, her youngest son and he needed her now more than ever.

Jeanette loved people and animals, tamed or in the wild. She especially loved black labradors and kitty cats. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, planting flowers, especially fragrant roses. She loved the smell of horses, fast cars and good music. She loved all kinds of music from classical to modern day music but loved Barbara, Elton and Joe Cocker.

She often thought she could have done a better job of being a mother. Her heart hurt so bad for the loss of her son. When she could no longer take care of others or herself, her son James came to take care of her with our ever complaining. 

Jeanette was so very grateful for all that she had. Life goes on and her hope was that life would get better for James and others because it is a troubled world.

Jeanette is preceded in death by her parents and beloved son Bert. 

She leaves behind her husband, Richard, her very good son, James, sister, Marilyn Powell and nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be 2:00PM, Friday, December 27, 2024 at Prien Memorial Park Cemetery in Lake Charles.