Oather Pritchard, age 88, of the White Oak Community, was surrounded by his loving family as he went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 15th, 2025. He was a son of the late John and Hettie Jolley Pritchard. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Clara Lee Bartlett Pritchard; a brother, Wray Pritchard; and a sister, Ruth Smith.
He was a long-standing member of Newdale Presbyterian Church. He was the owner and operator of Pritchard
Lumber, he spent many years sawing lumber and creating house plans for numerous homes throughout the community.
Oather is survived by his five daughters: Kathy Thomas (Danny), Patsy Robinson (Keith), Carolyn Hensley (Mike), Betty Briggs (Bobby) and Barbara Ramsey (James), all of Burnsville; He was blessed with ten grandchildren: John Edwards, Amanda Ray, Lacey Good (Edwin), Jessica Thomas, Kaleigh Aldridge (Mark), Shanna Pittman (Wesley), Brandi Wilson (Cameron), Tyler Briggs (Sheryl), Dylan Ramsey (Halle) and Baylee Sanders (John); His legacy continues through his fourteen great-grandchildren: Morgan, Roxanna and Eleanor, Lawson and Ensley, Lila and Waylon, Luke and Kainan, Henry, Tucker, Anna Claire and Decker, and Lucille; one brother: Lewis Pritchard (Sabra) of Burnsville; a brother-in-law: Ralph Bartlett (Linda); a sister-in-law: Essie Bartlett, along with several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 17th in the Chapel of Yancey Funeral Services. Pastor Steve Glenn will officiate. Burial will follow in the Newdale Presbyterian Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Compassionate Care WNC Yancey Group, his nurse Della Miller, along with Dr. Mitchell and the staff at Celo Health Center.
