ELIZABETH "LIZ' ANN PRATHER BULLOCK

Born on October 30, 1924 in Clarksburg, West Virginia to Dr. Ernest Prather and Hazel Brookover Prather, Liz said that she wanted to live to be 100. She made it only to 97, but there is no shame in that. Liz left our story and entered immortality on April 23, 2022 due to complications of pneumonia.

After dividing her childhood time between her father's farm near Harrisville and Clarksburg where he practiced dentistry, she graduated from the University of West Virginia at Morgantown with a BA in History. Thereafter, she moved to Washington, D.C. to take employment with the federal government, where she met Randolph Adair Carlson, a young lawyer whom she married. Liz's first daughter, Martha Cassandra Carlson was born nine months later. Liz would tell you that she didn't know much about methods of birth control upon entering the marital state, but that she was a fast learner.

They lived in Arlington, Virginia. Randolph passed away unexpectedly in 1956, leaving Liz a young, beautiful widow. Randolph's mother, Julia Carlson, moved into an apartment two doors away to help Liz with raising Martha. Liz very much appreciated all the help Julia was able to give. Liz became a third grade teacher in order to be able to spend summers with Martha, as both would be out of school. Saturdays were Liz's "date nights", when Martha would enjoy the pleasure of staying at Grandma's while Liz was escorted by various suitors.

But she met John Burns Bullock, an electrical engineer and private pilot, and fell in love. He called her by the pet name "Lady Watt". She called him "Bull Moose". They married in 1960, and moved to southern New Jersey, where John was employed by RCA. Liz gave up full time teaching to manage the family home. Much to their delight, their daughter, Janet Marie Bullock, was born in 1964. In 1971 RCA moved the family to southwest Pennsylvania where she continued to raise the girls, care for her own aging parents and enjoy the sights and sounds of Pittsburgh.

Liz was a caring mother, seeing that both daughters received instruction in dance and music, did well in their studies, and encouraged them to be all the latter half of the 20th century allowed women to be. Her efforts were not wasted. Janet graduated from college with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and Martha became a lawyer.

After John retired, he and Liz moved to Croasdaile Village retirement community in Durham to be near their grandchildren, Janet and her husband, Larry Vaught's, children, the twins Elizabeth ("Beth") and William, and Sara. John died in 2009. Liz was a very attractive older widow. This time, she wasn't interested in suitors and forged on alone.

Time took its toll. Nonetheless, Liz had an active interest in learning, travel and world events almost until the end. She leaves behind her daughters, Martha Carlson McCormack and Janet Marie Vaught (Larry), her grandchildren Beth, Will and Sara, her brother Charles Prather, and his children Cheryl and Mark plus grandnieces and a grandnephew.

We miss you, Mum. Thank you for all you did for us over the decades.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the wonderful staff of Croasdaile Village for showering Liz with affection and attention.

A graveside funeral service will be held at 4:30 on Thursday, April 28, 2022 at Sunset Gardens, Henderson, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.