Lucinda Prather Randall

Lucinda Prather Randall, ED.D., of Abilene, Texas, peacefully passed away on April 20, 2018, surrounded by her family. Funeral services and internment will be held on May 7, 2018, at 1 o'clock in the afternoon, at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest with The Reverend Mother Amanda Watson, officiating. Services are under the direction of the Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Lucinda was born in Abilene, Texas to Lawrence Anthony "Bud" Prather and Berylgene Dawson Prather on May 26, 1937. Spending most of her youth in Dallas, her family returned to Abilene in 1953. After being voted as the 1954 Flashlight Queen, Lucinda was a 1955 graduate of Abilene High School. She then went on to receive her undergraduate degree from the University of North Texas and her masters and doctorate degrees from the University of Houston. She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi and maintained life-long friendships built as a student. Always a believer in education, Lucinda spent her life ensuring children across Texas had access to quality instruction. First as an educator and then as an administrator at all levels, she greatly impacted thousands of Texas school children. Lucinda began her career as an elementary school teacher, specializing in reading and special education. She authored textbooks on special education that are still referenced today. She moved from teaching early in her career into school administration, having served as a principal and in several Education Service Centers, and as Assistant District Superintendent in the Galveston ISO school district. She assisted bringing several struggling school districts into state compliance. Lucinda then finished her career assisting school districts in obtaining grants for new innovative reading strategies and curriculum. She worked for both the Fort Worth and Dallas Independent School Districts. Lucinda was beloved mother of Mel Knight and wife, Kathryn, she was "Gran" to Austin Knight, Andie Smirl and her husband Dusty, and Nash Knight and his wife Megan. "Great Gran" to her only great grandchild, Gunter Smirl. As the oldest child, she was the adored "Sister" of Gilbert Prather, Wilbur Prather and brother in law, Gibby Dean. She was revered by her many nieces and nephews, who lovingly called her "Aunt Yiyi." Also, survived and loved by her many friends, in whom she found great joy. Lucinda spent the last years of her life with her high school sweetheart, the love of her life, Frank Scarborough. In an amazing story of love reunited, they loved to fish in exotic locations all over the world, their favorite being in Brazil. They loved sports, specifically watching her grandsons play baseball. Whenever you met Lucinda, she was proud to tell you all about her family and loved ones. A proud Abilenian, she was a member of the Abilene Woman's Club. She was a woman that truly loved her community. She never met a stranger and anyone she met was soon her friend. Lucinda was also survived by Frank and his children Marian Newton and Julia Lundquist. Lucinda is preceded in death by both parents, her sisters, Jain e and Ellen, her sister in law, Camilla, and nephew Greg. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Houston Lantrip Center for Literacy and Learning at Hardin Simmons University or the West Texas Rehab Center. The family of Lucinda Randall wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Mary Ellis, her caregiver, the staff and nurses of Hendrick Hospital and Hendrick Hospice Center and her close friends and family for all their care and support.