On Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at the age of 61, Melody Jane Baty - beloved wife, mother, Nanna, sister, cousin, and loving friend - quietly departed this earthly existence for the glory and wonder of heaven.

Melody was born Saturday, January 28, 1961 to William Clyde Prather and Ruth Geraldine Strohschein Prather in Midland, Texas. She was the baby of the family having two older brothers, William Clyde Prather, the eldest, and David Robert Prather.

While growing up, Melody lived in several different places before the family settled down in Alexandria, Louisiana.

On Saturday, February 8, 1975, Melody won the "Ideal Miss" Pageant sponsored by the Jaycees of Pineville, Louisiana. Melody was scheduled to represent Pineville in additional pageants, but family commitments kept her from being able to compete further.

Melody attended Tioga High School in Ball, Louisiana. She graduated with the class of 1979. She attended college briefly before going to work for the NBC affiliate in Alexandria, Louisiana.

In 1981, Melody was ready to strike out on her own, so she moved to Houston, Texas. This is where she decided she was going to spend her life, and that's exactly what she did.

Melody is survived by her adoring husband, Bille, her children Ryan, Lance, and Lawson, her stepchildren Anthony & wife Letty, Alex, Andrew & wife Nicole, and Jessica, her grandchildren Emma, Isabella, Kayden, and Colten, her brothers Billy and David, Aunts, Uncles, and many loving cousins.

Melody has never met a person she could not become friends with, and as such, she has numerous lifelong friends. Friends who speak fondly of her as always being a good friend, no matter the distance or the time apart.

Melody loved to travel and traveled the world with her husband by her side. Sometimes just the two of them, but more often than not her huge heart and generosity would compel her to bring friends and family along.

Melody loved to make memories. Whether it was singing with John Tesh, or taking the entire family to the Christmas Eve Service at church, or taking her niece shopping, or baking cookies with her granddaughter, or having a birthday party for her mother on the beach with fireworks exploding overhead. She believed in planting goodness in as many hearts as possible. She donated to Christian charities and missions and humanitarian causes around the world.

All of these things about Melody are wonderful. But the most wonderful thing about Melody was her never-ending faith in God. Her expectation that she would live forever with Christ. Her surety that to be absent from this body is to be present with the LORD. Her commitment to make sure her family knew of the saving grace of God. Her bold sharing of her faith with family, friends and stranger alike.

Melody loved Jesus above all else, and shared his love with her world.

Please join us in celebrating the life of, and saying goodbye to...

MELODY JANE BATY