Barbara Ann Pratt

Published 10:23 am Thursday, February 3, 2011

MCKINNEY, Texas — Barbara Ann Pratt, 77, of McKinney, died peacefully with her family at her side Jan. 30, 2011, in McKinney.  In addition to her husband, Dean, her children and grandchildren, her many students were the essential centers of focus of her life.

She loved life with enthusiasm and shared this love with everyone she met.  Her students’ achievements touched her deeply and her art teachers were the joy of her life.  The creative, a vital link in the thinking process, was at her core.

She was formerly the art coordinator of both Frisco and McKinney ISD’s, art teacher of Richardson High School, Plano East and Fredericksburg High Schools (Texas) and Pelham Elementary (Tennessee).

Her awards included Sigma Nu Sweetheart, 1954-55; National Secondary Art Educator, National Art Education Association, 1993; Texas Art Education Association President, 1998-1999; Texas Art Educator of the Year, Texas Art Education Association, 2000; University of Texas Outstanding High School Teachers, 1989; Texas Art Educator, National Art Education Association, 2001.

Her degrees included BSSS from Ohio University; MAT from Lynchburg College, Virginia; BFA University of Texas, San Antonio; additional graduate work in Art, University of North Texas.

In addition to her unique role as the wife of a Catholic priest, Dean and Barbara shared publishing a book of their lifetime “Gleanings,” which were many and included 20 of her artistic creations.

Barbara was born May 26, 1933, in Akron, to Charles Harold and Alice Louise (Wickus) Metzger.  She married Dean Pratt on August 27, 1955, in Athens.  Barbara was an art teacher and a member of St. Michael Catholic Church in McKinney.

She is survived by her husband, Dean Pratt of McKinney, Texas; daughters, Jennifer Fay and husband, Warren of Belton, Texas  and Melinda Crenwelge and husband, Mark of Waco, Texas; son, Eric Pratt and wife Toni of Plano, Texas; grandchildren, Andrew Fay of Austin, Texas, Christina Fay of Belton, Texas, Jay Crenwelge and wife, Anna of Overland Park, Kansas, Ben Crenwelge of Waco, Texas, Brianna Crenwelge of College Station, Texas, Jordan Pratt of Austin, Texas, and Haley Pratt of Plano, Texas; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Margaret Ann and Ralph Kelley of South Point; and numerous other loving family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011, at St. Michael Catholic Church in McKinney, Texas.

Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, Texas. A rosary service will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 4, 2011, at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in McKinney with a visitation to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 8900 Carpenter Frwy., Dallas, TX, 75247 or www.cancer.org

To convey condolences or to sign an online registry, please visit www.tjmfuneral.com.

To all of you who touched her so deeply, we thank you.