Marie Prater Groff

Elsie Marie Prater Groff, 89 of Lake Charles, died on Sunday, January 1, 2023in a local hospital. 

Mrs. Groff  was born on May 9, 1933, in Dequincy, LA to the late Lela Newell and Jasper Benson Prater.  Native to Dequincy, she was a graduate of Dequincy High School.

Mrs. Groff was a descendant of an early pioneer family of Lake Charles, LA, J. N. Prater who was a merchant, banker, realtor, and was responsible for much of Lake Charles, development.  She always loved square dancing and was a member of Swinging Rebels Square Dance Club. A lady of faith, she was a faithful member of Sale Street Baptist Church. 

She is survived two  nephews, Brett Duhon and wife, Margaret of Singer, LA, and Mark Duhon and wife, Laura of San Marcos, TX; two great-nieces, Shelise Duhon Brockman and Heather Robinson; and four great nephews, Daniel, Aaron, Stephen and Beau.

Mrs. Groff was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-nine years, Clair Wilbur “Gus” Groff; sister, Vera Prater Duhon; her parents; grandparents, Benson, and Beulah Andrus Prater and Tribia and Thomas Newell.

Funeral services will be at 5:00 PM Wednesday, January 04, 2023 in the Chapel of Johnson Funeral Home.  Henry Iatesta will officiate.  Visitation Wednesday will be from 4:00 PM until 5:00 PM in the funeral home. Private Interment services will be in Perkins Cemetery in DeQuincy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org. or 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or a charity of choice.