Dr. Brenda Prater Earhart

*PLEASE NOTE SERVICE TIME ADDITIONS & CORRECTIONS LISTED BELOW* A CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE FOR DR. BRENDA PRATER EARHART WILL BE HELD MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2025, AT ALLEN CHAPEL A.M.E. CHURCH, 804 W. NORTH STREET IN KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN. ATTN: FAMILY & FRIENDS-PLEASE NOTE THE CHURCH DOORS WILL OPEN AT 9:30 A.M. MASKS & HAND SANITIZER ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. __________________________________________ ***THE (2) LINKS TO VIEW SERVICES LIVESTREAM & TO FOLLOW ALONG WITH THE PROGRAM WITH ORDER OF SERVICE ON MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2025, ARE PROVIDED BELOW: https://www.facebook.com/share/15sNwZM7h7/?mibextid=wwXIfr -or- https://www.facebook.com/share/1C5PgGRKtk/?mibextid=wwXIfr ________________________________________ HERE IS THE PROGRAM FLIP BOOK LINK TO FOLLOW ALONG WITH ORDER OF SERVICE: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/cff1a4e76b.html _________________________________________ ***If you have any questions, please contact us at: (269) 342-1000 ________________________________________ ***NOTE: The DVD Tribute will be available today, Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. ________________________________________ Remembering our beloved Dr. Brenda Prater Earhart Dr. Brenda Prater Earhart liked to keep busy. A dedicated educator, community mentor, lifelong volunteer, and woman of God, she never shied away from acts of service. Those in community with her can attest to the steadfast support she oﬀered to anyone in need, whether they asked for it or not. Born on May 20th, 1944 in Woodville, Mississippi, Brenda was seventh of eight children to the late Edward K. Prater and the late Ninnie E. Smith Prater. Her childhood was a rambunctious one in the country, marked by precious moments with her siblings, cousins, and other family members. Brenda loved playing outside, especially with her younger brother Wesley, creating games and adventures that still live on in family stories. Her ﬁrst years of education were spent in a one-room schoolhouse, Kingsford Elementary in Wilkinson County, where her mother taught her and her siblings. Before 9th grade, she moved in with her older brother Fred, to attend Utica High School where he worked. In 1961, she earned a high school diploma from Utica High School and enrolled at Alcorn State University where she would remain for four years in the successful pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. At Alcorn, she sharpened her gifts, formed lifelong friendships, and joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. Brenda’s pursuit of higher education took her from Mississippi to Kalamazoo in 1965. To ensure her safe arrival, her parents hired a driver to take her there—a testament to the Prater family’s deep commitment to education. She attended Western Michigan University, where she earned a master’s degree in chemistry. In addition to achieving her academic goals, Brenda received an unexpected bonus—meeting the love of her life, Malcolm Alan Earhart II. Their connection quickly grew into a deep and lasting bond, and they were married on August 26, 1967. In 1972, Brenda and Malcolm’s love bore their ﬁrst child – their daughter, Tiombe Kai Bey-Woodson. When Tiombe was a young child, the family of three moved to Detroit, Michigan. Nine years later, they welcomed their son, Malcolm Alan Earhart, III, born in 1981. Brenda’s professional career spanned more than 40 years in education, impacting the lives of students across the country. The longest chapter of her teaching career was spent at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, where she taught a wide range of subjects—including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, chemistry, and physics—sharing her passion for learning with generations of students. By 1987, the family moved back to Kalamazoo and Brenda became the ﬁrst recipient of the Upjohn Doctoral Fellowship. During that time, while pursuing a doctorate degree in administration at Western Michigan University, she served as the assistant director at the Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center (KAMSC). From authoring numerous publications and articles to the implementation of science programs for Kalamazoo Public Schools, it is here that she laid the foundation to later become the director of KAMSC, a prestigious role she held for 10 years. As director, Brenda developed and implemented several outreach initiatives, including the elementary/middle school Summer Science Program and the KAMSC Pre-college Engineering Program, which serves as a vehicle for increasing the number of African Americans and other underrepresented students in the science, mathematics, and technology pipeline. She also traveled to Japan to collaborate with a sister school, broadening KAMSC’s scope internationally. Her commitment to equitable education went beyond her work at KAMSC. She served as a member of several state organizations, including the Equity in Science Leadership Team, Michigan Science Teachers Association, Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and the Michigan Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. She also served on the board of the Kalamazoo Nature Center and chaired the leadership committee of the Kalamazoo Women's Educational Coalition. Brenda was often decorated for the impact she had on the community, receiving awards such as the Michigan Science Teachers Association’s Distinguished Service Award and the YWCA’s Women of Achievement Award. As recently as March 2025, she received a Certiﬁcate of Appreciation for Black Excellence from Spring Valley Elementary. Following her retirement in 2011, Brenda stayed active in her community, continuing to serve on boards, tutor students, and was a longtime treasurer at her church, Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal. In 2012, she was recognized as a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® and also became a member of the Kalamazoo Chapter of The Links, Incorporated in 2014. Above all, Brenda’s most cherished titles were wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Outside of her life’s work, she enjoyed traveling with her family and visiting her girlfriends. Some of her favorite destinations included South Africa, Japan, Las Vegas and Tunica. She had a special bond with her children and grandchildren, who could expect to receive several calls, texts, and silly emojis from her weekly. Throughout the years, and across several states and cities, she created countless memories with her devoted husband of 58 years. One of their favorite pastimes was commenting on how Kalamazoo’s food scene was severely lacking. On Monday, August 11, God opened his arms to allow Dr. Brenda Prater Earhart to rest, and join her parents and brothers, Leonard Prater, Robert Lee Prater (Theresa), and Fred Prater. Brenda will be remembered for her generous spirit, infectious laugh, and dedication to her community. Her life’s work continues in the students she taught, the communities she strengthened, and the family she loved. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband Malcolm and their two children Tiombe Bey-Woodson (J’Nairo) and Malcolm Earhart, III, bonus daughter, Mallori Lockett (Quincy), grandchildren: Tori Zackery, Tariq Zackery, and Terrance Zackery, II, and Joshua Schenk, J’Nairo Bey-Woodson and Kahlil Bey-Woodson. She is also survived by her siblings Eva Prater, Mary Prater Demby, Daisy Prater Tillman, Dora Prater Simpson (Willie), and Dr. Wesley Prater (Gwen), as well as a host of beautiful nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and adoring former students.

Dr. Brenda Prater Earhart

May 20, 1944 - August 11, 2025