Willie Irene Rater passed from this life Friday, December 6, 2002, in the Ryan Nursing Home, at the age of ninety-eight. She was born February 11, 1904, in Sapulpa, Oklahoma.

In 1922, Irene married Carl Thomas in Marble Fall, Texas. On April 9, 1949, she married W.A. Parr in Marble Falls, Texas. In December of 1972, she married Henry Rater in Vashita, Texas. She was a homemaker and member of the Church of Christ.

Survivors include: one son, Weldon Thomas of Waurika, OK; two daughters - Laura Garrett and Lenora Gillespie, both of Madisonville, TX; and two sisters - Vivian Maddox of Burnett, TX and Heloise Shotz of Tucson, AZ; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, seven sons, one brother, and three sisters.

Graveside services were held for Mrs. Rater at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, December 10, 2002, at the Ryan Cemetery with Clarence Mize officiating. Burial was in the Ryan Cemetery under the direction of Dudley Funeral Home of Ryan.