Dr. Mildred Inez (Sirls) Pratt was born on October 15, 1928, in Henderson, Texas. She had a wonderful and fulfilling life. As one of 8 children (George, Clyde, Eugenia, Erie, Mozelle, Bernice, and Ruby) of sharecroppers, Eula Sirls and R.P. Sirls, she earned four advanced degrees, including a Ph.D. in Social Work. An ordained Disciples of Christ minister, she practiced social work for several years before teaching social work at the University of Pittsburgh, Illinois State University (ISU), and Rio De Janiero, Brazil. She retired as Professor Emerita from ISU in 1993. During her extensive and productive career at ISU, her most cherished achievement involved co-founding the McClean County Black History Project and serving as co-director for several years.

She was married to her husband, Dr. T.A.E.C. ("Ted") Pratt, for almost 32 years. After his death in 1996, she helped to start the Pratt Music Foundation in Ted's memory, with several cherished friends (including Marc and Darlene Miller; Jack and Pam Muirhead; Jack and Patsy Bowles; Frank and Gigi Miles, among others). The Pratt Music Foundation provides financial scholarships to children to take music lessons at Illinois Wesleyan University. She was grateful to President Richard Wilson and his wife, Dr. Patricia Wilson; board members (Susan Bassi, Kathy Steadman, Willie McCauley, Laura Dolan, and Glenn Reeder); and the advisory council members for their amazing and untiring support of the Foundation. She loved classical music and appreciated her friendships with the Bloomington-Normal music community and its supporters, including teachers (Gellert Modos, Leslie Sompong, and Deanna Bryant), the Music Shoppe, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and the Symphony Guild.

Mildred was an avid tennis player and was very thankful for her friends and tennis buddies from the Evergreen Racquet Club. She appreciated tremendously the visits to Champaign-Urbana and the cards sent from many of her Bloomington-Normal friends over the past few months.

She is survived by her two children and their spouses: daughter, Dr. Menah Pratt-Clarke (Obadiah Clarke) of Champaign, Illinois; and son, Professor Awadagin (Jill Meyer) Pratt of Cincinnati, Ohio. Her memory is cherished by her three grandchildren: Emmanuel Pratt-Clarke, Raebekkah Pratt-Clarke, and Alexander Williams Pratt. Mildred is also survived by her sister, Bernice Miller (Rosewood, California); her sisters-in-laws from Sierra Leone, West Africa: Theodora Elliott and Fredericka Wyse and their families; the family of Dorothea Amara-Bangali; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Pratt family appreciates contributions to the Pratt Music Foundation at Illinois Wesleyan University in Dr. Mildred Pratt's memory. In lieu of a funeral service, a special program celebrating Dr. Pratt's life will be held at the Evelyn Chapel at Illinois Wesleyan University at 6:00 pm on Sunday, August 19, 2012, followed by a reception in the Main Lounge in Memorial Center. Condolences may be offered online at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.