Susan Adele Prather Galloway of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away Saturday after a brief illness. Susan was a loving and patient wife, mother and grandmother and will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Susan was preceded in death by her parents, John “Jack” Austin Prather and June Jessie Savana Prather, and her cousin, Judy Gant Davisson.
Susan was born September 28, 1947 in Joplin, Missouri. She was the only child of Jack and June Prather. As an only child, Susan spent her childhood growing up with her two cousins. The three cousins were the best of friends. Susan spent the majority of her childhood in New Orleans, Louisiana, and always considered it her home.
Upon completion of high school, Susan attended Loyola University in New Orleans and studied psychology. She then devoted her life to raising her three daughters. It was only after the children were older that Susan went to work professionally outside of the home. She was an executive secretary at EaglePicher Technologies for many years and then went on to hold two positions with firms located in Huntsville: Adtran and RO Dederick. Susan was as dedicated to her professional positions as she was to her children, and it showed in her work ethic.
While at EaglePicher, Susan met her husband, Larry Galloway. They were married in 1995 and located in Huntsville, Alabama. Larry and Susan then worked together to raise Susan’s daughters who were still at home and care for Susan’s mother. Susan was often thankful of Larry’s support of her, her children and her mother.
Susan, or GiGi as she became known, loved her family unconditionally, but she may have loved six special people in the family just a bit more. The grandchildren truly were the light of Susan’s life. She couldn’t spend time with all of them like she would have liked, but when they were all together, she was at her happiest. She delighted in hearing about what the grandchildren were doing. She often shared stories about the grandchildren with her friends and her two cousins she was so close to.
Those she left behind will always remember Susan’s patient and loving heart. Her husband, Larry Galloway, survives Susan. Susan’s three daughters, Kirstie Smith and her husband Brady (Joplin, Missouri), Jessica Grubbs and her husband Chris (Huntsville, Alabama), and Karyn Black and her husband Anthony (Athens, Alabama), also survive. Surviving beloved grandchildren include Savana Quinn Smith, Katherine Adele Grubbs, Bradford Staten Smith Jr., Emily Mae Grubbs, William Anthony Black Jr., and Rainey Adele Black. Sterling and Vera Gant, great-aunt and great-uncle, in addition to cousin Sydney Gant Debray, also survive.
Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 28 at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will immediately follow in the chapel with Father Jo Lubrano officiating. Burial will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be sent to The Ark, Inc., 139 Bo Cole Road, Huntsville, AL 35806 or online at www.arkinc.org.
