Elizabeth Bennett Pratt

Libby (Elizabeth Bennett) Pratt richly blessed the lives of her family and many friends for an amazing 63 years before retiring from her earthly ministry on January 31, 2022. Although Alzheimer’s dementia had steadily diminished her health for quite some time, she had valiantly persevered through bouts of COVID, pneumonia, and a badly broken leg in the last year and 1/2 before her final week with us, when a stroke-like episode left her largely unresponsive. Her beloved niece and namesake, Betsy (Mary Elizabeth) Keeton, was able to elicit her last observed facial response the night before we lost her, recounting their shared dancing escapades to Libby’s favorite Michael Jackson songs-her lips giving us the hint of one more sweet smile.

Libby was born on September 8, 1958 in Roanoke, Virginia, the second of two daughters born to Lacy and Margaret Weddle Pratt. Older sister Marty (Margaret Lee) had arrived just 20 months prior as a late-in-life surprise following their 10 years awaiting adoption possibilities, so they generously decided to give her a sibling companion. The blessing that she became to so many is entirely attributable to the faith and courage it took for her parents to ignore the many nationally renowned medical experts they consulted, each of whom insisted that institutionalization was the only feasible options for a child born with Down Syndrome at that time. Lacy was quoted as responding, “She’s ours, and dammit we’re taking her home!” Through the enriched home environment she was given to supplement limits prescribed for her by standard school system IQ measures, Libby defied all expectations of literacy-motivated by largely her strong desire to conquer the weekly TV Guide magazine! Her eventual knowledge and memory for celebrity trivia was 2nd to none-especially regarding her “leading man” crushes James Arness (Gunsmoke’s Sheriff Matt Dillon), Andy Griffith, Gilligan, and Pat Sajak, to name just a few. In her mother’s latter years Libby was a devoted companion and even essential caregiver, able to monitor evening medications and meals set up by employed daytime helpers. She was also an invaluable lift to her widowed mom’s spirits with her wit and good-humored teasing, once suggesting that the two of them should “check out a single’s bar!”

The “glass ALWAYS full” stance with which Libby approached life was particularly evident in the years following her move to live with her sister and brother-in-law, Marty and David Keeton, after their mother’s death in April of 2002. In Libby’s lexicon the date was forever-after referred to not as one of loss, but as her “anniversary” of moving to Greensboro-and with the expectation of it being universally celebrated! Store clerks were routinely informed, just as they were given AMPLE advanced notice of her birthday in the weeks/months preceding it! This buoyant spirit extended even to her own medical struggles-through open heart surgery, 2 separate battles with breast cancer (and eventual mastectomy), as well as hip replacement, when she famously rejected Marty’s initial arrival to get her checked out of the hospital: “But we’re having spaghetti for lunch today!” Add in a remote for both the TV AND the bed and it became a complete spa experience in her mind! To quote Marty’s dearest friend, Godmother-to-Betsy Valeri Froneberger: “If only we could all see the world through Libby’s eyes.”

Libby was a model of true faith in its purest form, nurtured from the earliest years by the weekly Sunday School lessons and hymns her mother faithfully led for her at home and reinforced by our “second mother”, Signora Forbes (Sig), who was Libby’s very special companion and “buddy”. Our mom used to say that Libby didn’t let a cracker crumb pass her lips without a proper blessing being said. In fact her celebration of EVERY blessing-no matter how small-was a lifelong, effortless practice in the example she set for all of us. She was easily drawn to the rituals of the Episcopal Church once she joined Marty there, confirmed shortly thereafter by the Reverend Michael Curry before his election (and rise to fame!) as presiding bishop. He later became a special friend to her, and his books were her chosen beach chair reading selections on vacation-right along with her own personal Book of Common Prayer!

From the very first Sunday Libby arrived in Greensboro, she was taken into the arms and hearts of Marty’s Holy Trinity Church family, who lovingly embraced her as their own. In particular our beloved “Mama Ann” Dortch and precious friends Rick and Ann Vaughn became her cherished pew companions each week during Marty’s years singing with the choir. Their continued devotion to her was a living example of how God’s Kingdom can be witnessed here on earth. As a result, Libby felt she was the “belle of the ball” at every parish event, enthusiastically participating in Altar Guild duties, ECW gatherings, assisting with Wednesday night suppers, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and-most proudly-serving as Marty’s teaching assistant in weekday Godly Play classes at Holy Trinity Day School. She never beamed brighter than the days a sweet preschooler’s hug came her way. Thanks to our now retired Director of Christian Education, Vivian (Hunsicker) Dodds, she was appointed the role of “lead” angel in the Xmas Eve children’s pageant, a celebrity status she was graciously allowed to reprise annually by subsequent directors Anne-Barton Carter and Marjorie Donnelly. We know she now rejoices in “joining the voices of Angels and Archangels and all the company of Heaven”, tenderly watching over surviving family members Marty, David, and Betsy Keeton of Greensboro.

Libby’s more to Greensboro also expanded her training and employment opportunities beyond the ARC sheltered workshop experience she’d had in Roanoke. She completed nursing assistant classes, but ultimately became a valued employee of Alberta Professional Services where, for many years, she went in weekly to help with some of their basic office maintenance needs. Their staff’s loyalty, devotion, and friendship to her-complete with a framed “Employee of the Month” photo tribute hanging in their lobby-blessed her life immeasurably with the essential sense of pride in making a worthwhile contribution to the world. Our heartfelt appreciation goes especially to her supervising mentors there, Kelly Morgan and Leilani Maness, for truly taking Libby into their hearts.

For the last 2 and ½ years of her life Libby was a resident of Greensboro’s Richland Place, a warm, home-like memory care residence whose (literal) “red carpet” welcome of her on move-in day set the tone for the manner in which they adopted and cherished her lovingly and completely-to the very end. Director Dyane Daigle and her staff view and conduct their roles as a ministry, and the depth of our family’s gratitude to and for them is beyond expression.

Libby’s remarkable life will be celebrated on Saturday, May 7 at 2:00 in the sanctuary of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, with reception following in the Haywood Duke room of the Parish House. Those graciously desiring to honor her may direct memorials to either Holy Trinity Episcopal Church or Holy Trinity Day School, both at 607 North Greene Street. The family is deeply grateful to Parish Nurse Maureen Flak, Liturgical Coordinator Annie Slaughter, and Hanes Lineberry’s Beth Harrington for their compassionate assistance with arrangements for Libby’s journey home.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared by visiting www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.