Kayla E. Prather

Our hero, Kayla Eden Prather, earned her heavenly angel wings at 5:27pm on Sunday, October 22, 2017 after a brief illness complicated by Friedreich's Ataxia.

Receiving of friends will be held between 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm and the Celebration of Life will begin at 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at West Cobb Funeral Home and Crematory. A reception immediately follows.

Instead of tears, Kayla would want smiles, laughter and family and friends to recall the love she had for all. She was an avid reader, often reading books on her Kindle for hours while enjoying her love of music in the background. Kayla was witty and sassy, bringing smiles to all. She was strong and determined and when she set her mind to it, nothing could stop her. She loved her family and she always looked forward to Christmas, often starting her shopping in June and finishing by September. Her joy came from seeing the smiles as everyone opened their presents. She said "Christmas is about giving, not receiving".

Kayla was a warrior from infancy, facing febrile seizures and later being diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia (FA) in 2002 at the age of 9. As her diseased progressed and robbed her of her physical abilities, she courageously battled her disease daily, waking every morning to face challenges that most of us take for granted. Her positive attitude, quick witted humor and determination were an inspiration to all. Kayla did not want to be defined by her disease instead she claimed it and acknowledged it, choosing to create awareness about disabilities and advocating for all special needs individuals.

Kayla made a difference in the fight against FA by participating in clinical trials and studies in hopes of one day finding a cure for FA. She attended proclamation signings at the capitol to create awareness about International Ataxia Awareness Day. She worked tirelessly for several years to secure proclamations on her own from Paulding County, City of Smyrna and City of Marietta and getting them published in local newspapers. As her disease progressed she was forced to cut back on her efforts.

Among Kayla's many accomplishments during her short life was promoting the works of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, MDA and FARA. Kayla was a 2003 Make-A-Wish kid and was featured in a MDA televised PSA running the entire month in December featuring local radio hosts, Randy and Spiff. In 2004, along with a local car show promoter, Kayla and her family raised money for FARA by hosting a charity car show at the Marietta Fairgrounds. Her responsibilities included traveling to smaller car shows promoting the car show, securing the Mayor of Marietta to kick off the event and arranging for entertainment and volunteers. Kayla served as a local MDA Ambassador. She was the first Georgia State Director for the 2012 Georgia Miss Amazing Pageant for special needs girls. In 2014, Kayla and her grandmother created and hosted the Georgia Miss Inspiration Pageant where Kayla had direct input into the special needs pageant.

Kayla is predeceased by her grandfather, Ronald E. Prather. Missing her the most are her mother and stepfather, Charity and Stephen Boyd, Jr., her father, Scott Wilkerson, her grandmother, Dianne Thigpen, her aunt, Tiffany Prather, her uncle Kip Prather, her cousins, Jon-Michael Exline, Ashton Prather, Jaylie Prather, Chase Timmons, Sammy Graeff, Ronald Prather, Jr, Callie Jewel Prather along with the many other relatives that loved and adored her. Her sudden death will leave a deep void, but the life she led for 24 years will be an inspiration to all who were blessed to know her. If only we could all be like her, the world would be a greater place.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Kayla with a donation to FARA at the address shown below.
ATTN: Memorials
In Honor of Kayla E. Prather
Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA)
533 W. Uwchlan Ave
Downingtown, PA 19335