Homegoing Memorial services for Mr. Edward Thomas Prather (E.T.) of Tampa who passed away on Friday, August 31, 2012, will be held on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Aikens Funeral Home Chapel, 2708 E. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd, Evangelist Belinda Womack, officiating. Edward was born December 29, 1935 to Thomas and Edna Mae Prather in Tignall, GA. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and talked every day about the goodness of the Lord. He loved to study the bible and hear the word of God preached. His singing and listening to gospel music brought him much joy, and he was also a great fan of jazz music. Edward served in the United States Marine Corp and held various jobs over the years, but he especially enjoyed work as a chef before retirement. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Alberta Thomas and Lula Awauh. Edward leaves to cherish his quick wit and rich spirit a loving and devoted wife of 25 years, Sylvia Prather; loving daughters, Edna L. Prather of Phoenix, AZ, Arlene Cooper Prather, April L. Prather of Tampa, and Tiffany D. Prather of Kissimmee; loving and devoted sisters, Annie Bell Brown, Gabriella Bryant and husband, Wesley and Mary Alexander Wright, whom he called his"oldest, oldest sister," all of Tampa; loving brothers, Richard Hamilton, Jr. and family of New Orleans, LA and Charles E. Hamilton, and wife, Henrietta of Winston Salem, NC; loving grandchildren, Cherjuana (Cheri) Richardson and husband, Fredderick and family of Ellenwood, GA, Shylla E. Ortega and family, Rubyn L. Cooper and family, Sincere T. Cutt, Nijah M. Prather, Ka'Ron M. Miller, Adre'Onna E. Joseph, Ty'ler K. Edward Prather, all of Tampa, and Gavin A. Montes of Kissimmee; uncle, Ed Hardin, Jr. and wife, Beatrice, of Lexington, NC; loving sister-in-law, Juanita Mongen of Altamonte Springs, loving brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Alvin and Yvonne Haggins and brother-in-law, Ronald Winkfield, all of Tampa; loving god-son and god-daughter, Gregory and Juanita Miller, and loving god-daughter, Kimberly Dowdell, all of Tampa; loving great grandchildren and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends. Family and friends will gather for food and fellowship at the Prather residence directly after the service at 8202 Dahlia Avenue in rogress Village. The family and friends are asked to meet at the chapel on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. for the memorial service.