She was born May 11, 1944 in Guymon, OK the daughter of Carl and Jaunita Evans Gum. She married Steven Prater June 10, 1972, in Quincy. He survives.

Marilyn's professional and volunteer careers were devoted to children and education. She received her Bachelor of Elementary Education degree from Texas Tech University in 1965. She taught school in Lubbock and Mesquite, TX, before moving to Quincy.

In Quincy, Marilyn taught at Emerson and Madison Schools. She was also the first librarian for the Four Star Public Library District in Mendon and surrounding communities of Ursa, Lima, Loraine and Fowler from 1989 to 1995. She taught at St. Francis School continuously for the past 24 years, until December 2007. Marilyn had also been the Program Director for the Two Rivers Council of the Girl Scouts.

Marilyn was a member of Vermont Street United Methodist Church and was active in various community organizations.

Her friends and family say that Marilyn was known for her passion and patience, qualities she imparted to her children and students.

Survivors in addition to her husband include her son, Ethan Prater and his wife, Anjali Kalyani, of San Francisco, CA; her daughter, Shannon Prater of Huron, OH; her brother, Tim Gum and his wife Carol Ann of Roswell, NM; her brother Keith Gum and his wife Marianne Montgomery, AL; her niece Sharon Mann and her husband John of Amarillo, TX; her nephew Bryan Gum of Roswell, NM; her nephews Wheeler Gum of Charlottesville, VA, William Gum of Pensacola, FL, and John Gum of Orlando, FL; and her grand-nephew Matthew Mann of Amarillo, TX.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents.

The Hansen-Spear Funeral Home is handling arrangements. On Monday Marilyn's family will welcome friends, students, and their families from 3-7 p.m. in the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home. On Tuesday, January 22nd at 11a.m. a memorial service celebrating Marilyn's life will be held at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, followed by a brief graveside ceremony at Greenmount Cemetery. The speakers will be David Smith and William L. Wells, both of Quincy.

Marilyn's family respectfully requests that instead of flowers or other gifts, memorials of any size be made to the Community Foundation of the Quincy Area, care of The Marilyn and Steven Prater Fund. This fund is used for the benefit of youth education in reading and music.