Lenore Loving Prather

Lenore Loving Prather peacefully entered into the greater glory of God surrounded by loved ones at her home on April 11, 2020.

Born on September 17, 1931 in West Point, Mississippi, she was the first child of Hattie Hearn Morris Loving and Byron Herald Loving. She graduated from West Point High School in 1949, and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi State College for Women, now Mississippi University for Women . She then earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1955.

She began her legal career practicing law with her father . S he met Robert “Bob” Brooks Prather in West Point, and they were married in 1957. She and her husband practiced law together, and she was appointed as Municipal Judge in West Point in 1965 and continued until 1971. During this time, Lenore and Bob had three daughters. In addition, she was a part-time instructor at Mississippi State University in the Communications Department.

In 1971 Governor John Bell Williams appointed her as Chancery Judge for the 14 th Chancery District, and she attended the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada. Governor William F. Winter appointed Lenore to the Mississippi Supreme Court in 1982. She later became a Presiding Justice and served as Chief Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court from 1998 to early 2001. In that position, she served as head of the judicial branch of government for the State of Mississippi. Following her legal career , she served as Interim President of Mississippi University for Women .

She said her accomplishments would not have been possible without the example of her parents. Her father was an attorney and legislator, and her mother served as a legal secretary and elections commission er . They instilled in her the importance of public service, and she encouraged others to pursue public service as well. Several others opened doors for her in the legal profession including Tom Tubb who recommended her for the position of Municipal Judge. She was grateful to Governor John Bell Williams and Governor William Winter for their appointments as Chancery Judge and Supreme Court Justice. She work ed to improve the legal system for all Mississippian s.

Outside of her legal career, she was a beloved mother to her three daughters, and a devoted daughter, wife, sister, grandmother to her two grandchildren, aunt and friend. She tried to open doors for others in appreciation for those who did the same for her. She enjoyed travel, fine arts, and gardening. She especially enjoyed her rose garden. She was loyal to her alma maters and always enjoyed time in the Grove before an Ole Miss football game. She was an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church where she was a Vestry Member, and she completed the Education for Ministry program through Sewanee University.

She received numerous awards and recognitions . She was inducted into the University of Mississippi Hall of Fame. The University of Mississippi School of Law named her Alumna of the Year and inducted her to the Law Alumni Hall of Fame. MUW awarded her its Medal of Excellence and the MUW Alumni Achievement Award. Governor Haley Barbour awarded her the Mississippi Medal of Service in 2009. She also received several awards from the Mississippi Bar Association. She was a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club, and member of the D AR.

Lenore is survived by her daughters, Pamela Prather of Jackson, MS, Valerie Jo Sundman of Steens, MS, and Malinda Prather (Kenton) Johnson of Saint Paul, MN; two grandchildren, Tyler Brooks Sundman and Laura Loving Sundman; sister, Marmion Loving Francis of Meridian, MS ; brother, James M. Loving, of Myrtle Beach, SC ; and brother-in-law Jacque (Patti) Prather of Tupelo, MS; cherished nieces and nephews ; and her faithful canine companion Max . She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister, Ida Loving Cunetto.

In lieu of flowers, memorials ma y be made to the University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Avenue , Oxford, MS 38655 ; St . Paul’s Episcopal Church , 318 College Street ,

Columbus, MS 3970 1; and the Lenore L. Prather Scholarship Fund at Mississippi University for Women , 1100 College Street , Columbus, MS 3970 1.