Mrs. Paula J. (Smith) Prater

Interment Services are Private. A Celebration of Paula's Life will take place at a later date.

Paula was born February 21, 1949 in Springfield, Missouri to Eugene L. smith and Sarah “Sally” K. Smith. She moved to Hurst, Texas where she spent her childhood and attended Hurst Elementary. She graduated L.D. Bell High School, class of 1967. After High School, Paula attended Tyler Junior College.

Paula met and fell in love with, Tony Prater, in August 1964, at age 15. She married her high school sweetheart and forever soulmate on May 25, 1968, at age 19. Together they had two daughters, Sarah Jean Prater Klein and Julie Jo Prater Taylor. Paula was “GaGa” to five grandchildren, Margaret “Maggie” Noel Klein, Lane LeGrand Klein, Stella Grace Klein, Olivia Rose Taylor, and Ella Claire Taylor.

Paula loved and was very successful at secretarial work. Her first job was at LTV in Grand Prairie, TX. She worked as a secretary in the engineering department at Corpus Christi Power Company. Paula spent many years working for her Father-in-Law, Ken Williamson, at his insurance agency. This allowed her to work alongside one of her best friends and Mother-in Law, Betty Williamson. Paula was extremely helpful during the startup of a new business by her husband, Tony, with his friends and partners. This is where she earned the title “Part-Time Paula” by the partners because she would do anything they needed part-time but refused full-time work. This meant she would often spend time training new employees until they needed a full-time worker, then she would graciously bow-out until she was needed again for the next part-time position.

Paula was a very dedicated dancer during her teen years. As a senior in high school, she started a dance school for children and was the sole owner and operator. She was an officer on her high school drill team. It was this love of dance that lead her to become an Apache Belle at Tyler Junior College. While she was an Apache Belle, she had the opportunity to perform at numerous Dallas Cowboy football games and participate in parades such as the Cotton Bowl and Fort Worth Stock Show. However, Paula’s biggest accomplishment and lifetime dream or goal was to be a wife and mother. She accomplished this when she married her husband, Tony, and become a mother to Sarah and Julie. Later, she discovered a new passion in life when she became a Grandmother, or “GaGa” as she was called. She would often say that she felt this was why she was born. Nothing was more precious to Paula than her husband, children and grandchildren.

Paula’s 2nd passion in life, behind family, was Animals. She loved all kinds of animals and owned all species of them. Pygmy Goats, chickens and several other types of birds, dogs, reptiles, rodents, miniature donkeys, and an accidentally purchased horse are just a few of what she owned in her lifetime, but cats were her favorite. Paula was always taking in or “fostering” cats and kittens and was known to be a “foster failure” because she couldn’t part with some. Her love for animals wasn’t just dedicated to domesticated pets. She was often the caretaker and admirer of all things wild too. She had a true appreciation for all living creatures. She loved to support organizations and causes dedicated to animal welfare. During her lifetime, Paula had a bucket-list of places to visit. She went on her two dream trips — one to Tanzania on a photo safari and the other to the Galapagos Islands. She was able to travel frequently and she and Tony traveled the world together. These trips led to lifetime friends in Ireland, one of her favorite places to go. Paula loved making friends and developed relationships with people all around the world. Everyone loved her. Paula was a Pisces and loved water. Many years were spent traveling to Florida and other tropical places. Being in water or around water was somewhere you would often find her. She loved to tell a story about being a Pisces. When she was a young child, her parents would often go fishing. They would put their lines out on one side of the boat and then put lifejackets on Paula and her little brother, Walt. Paula and Walt were then tied up to a line on the other side of the boat and left to float along while Gene and Sally fished. She always said this was where her love of water started. Paula dearly loved her little brother, Walt, and tried to spend as much time visiting with him as she could. Paula will always be known for her love of holidays. She decorated the house for all of them, but Christmas was her favorite. She was even known to pass out candy on Halloween while wearing her Halloween costume. She always wanted to host the holiday gatherings around the beautiful home and tables she created. She would often organize games for everyone to play, especially at Easter. Not everyone appreciated this level of festiveness, but all participated for her benefit. Once again, family was always at the center of her life.

Paula had an outstanding smile. It was something that so many people have commented on and she will always be remembered for. She had her mother’s eyes and received many compliments on them. She was just as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside and was extremely generous and giving. She was greatly loved and admired by all ages, known by many of her grandchildren’s friends, “GaGa” was active in everyone's lives. She was devoted to all she loved. Paula was also a feisty one. She had her father’s temperament when she felt she or anyone she loved was wronged. She would sometimes need a gentle reminder of “OK Gene Smith” to be a clue to simmer down a little. She loved harder than anyone and would fight back. Her greatest loves were her husband, children, grandchildren, family and animals.

Paula was preceded in death by her parents: Eugene L. Smith and Sarah (Sally) K. Smith Her mother-in-law and father-in-law: Ken L. Williamson and Betty J. Williamson Her niece: Christi Michelle Ball.

She is survived by her husband: Tony L. Prater Daughter: Sarah P. Klein and Son-in-Law: Chris L. Klein Daughter: Julie P. Taylor and Son-in-Law: Derek A. Taylor Grandchildren: Margaret (Maggie) Klein, Lane Klein, Stella Klein, Olivia Taylor, Ella Claire Taylor Brother: Walter Smith and wife Jan Smith and family Sister-in-Law: Connie Jaynes and family Plus many treasured extended family members too numerous to name.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in Paula’s memory to: Humane Society of North Texas.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bluebonnethills.com for the Prater family.