Ella Mae Prather May Loper, 91, of Bogue Chitto, died Dec. 24,2010, at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson.

She was born on Aug. 24, 1919, in Lincoln County to Orvel and EllaHerring Prather.

She was a life-long disciple of Christ and a member of New ProspectBaptist Church.

Ella Mae Loper excelled in life in all areas that God had assignedher-as wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Shealso was an expert seamstress, cook, hostess, gardener, and in her”December” days was an accomplished artist, taking up oil paintingin her 70s.

She was preceded in death by her parents; the husband of her youth,Lyndell Aaron May; the husband of her “December” days, John RalphLoper; two sons, George Aaron May and Cedric May; brothers, Walter,Sam, Louis and Jewel Prather; sisters, Myrtis Milburn, RosaleeCausey, and Euala Mae Prather.

She is survived by her beloved and last sibling, Lorena Wooten ofBrookhaven; her sons, Roland Lee May and wife Elaine of Conroe,Texas, and Kenneth Wayne May of Bellaire, Texas; her daughter,Patricia Maggio and husband Joe of Bogue Chitto; sevengrandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; twogreat-great-grandchildren; a multitude of nieces and nephews; andher kind and loving caregiver, Renea Johnson.

Visitation was held at Brookhaven Funeral Home on Natchez Drive onMonday, Dec. 27, 2010, from 5 until 9 p.m. Funeral services wereheld at New Prospect Baptist Church on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010, at11 a.m., with the Rev. Willie Welch officiating. Interment followedin the church cemetery.