Our beloved Mother, Virginia Nell Prater (Hammitt) age 86 of Buchanan GA , passed away on March 2, 2026 peacefully after battling cancer surrounded by her family and friends.

Born April 22,1939 in Chattooga GA to the late James Andrew Hammitt and Martha Lee Hammitt (Dukes).

She is survived by her four children Billy Johnson (son) & wife Lynn Johnson, Deborah Smith (daughter) & husband Jimmy Smith, David Johnson (son) & wife Denise Johnson and Sheila Cole (daughter); 8 grandchildren Eric Wood, Jessica Singleton, Hannah Daniel, Anthony Cole, Josh Johnson, Jarred Johnson, Lacey Rouzee, and Cambryn Melillo; 14 great grandchildren; three sister in laws Pam Hammitt, Connie Prater and Iva May Dobbs, one brother in law Lowell Bush, several nieces and nephews; preceded in death by her loving husband William Prater of nineteen years and her first husband JB Johnson, brothers Grady Hammitt and Bobby Hammitt, one sister Annie Ruth Gilreath, two great grandchildren Paige Wood and Alydia Daniel.

Mom was full of love and compassion with a sense of humor only a few were able to see. She was a selfless person who always put others before herself, babysitting and caring for her family and friends. Mom was known by the Draketown Community for her Sunday and Wednesday dinners cooked for her family and their friends.

A service celebrating her life will be held at Hightower Funeral Home on Friday March 6th, 2026 at 11:00am with Brother Mason Bush and Brother Tyler Rouzee officiating. Pallbearers: Larry Hammitt, Frankie Hammitt, Andy Hammitt, Josh Johnson, Anthony Cole, Eric Wood, Wesley Daniel, Mike Melillo and Jarred Johnson will serve as honorary pall bearer.

Interment will be held at Shady Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Carrollton.