Virgil Ray Prater, III

Virgil R. Prater, III, age 65, of Middlesboro, KY, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 9, 2026, at the Middlesboro Appalachian Regional Hospital, Middlesboro, KY. Born September 22, 1961, the son of the late Virgil Ray Prater, Jr. and Wanda Ward Prater.

Virgil loved the mountains that he called home and enjoyed spending time in them on his four-wheeler.

In addition to his father, Virgil was preceded by his grandparents, Virgil and Carrie Prater and Virgil and Linda Ward.

Left to cherish his memory are his mother, Wanda Sue Prater; daughter, Michelle Burchfield (Jason Suttles); grandsons, Matthan Burchfield and Keelan Burchfield; siblings, Carrie Faye McMichael (John), Kenneth Bird Prater (Cristy), Melinda Kay Smith (David), and Peggy Sue “Suzi” Prater (Paul Huddleston); and nieces and nephews, Brandy, Chelsea, Christopher, Danielle, Victor, and Victoria as well as a host of great-nieces and nephews, other family, and friends.

The family of Virgil R. Prater, III will receive friends on Friday, November 13, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Cawood Funeral Home Chapel, Middlesboro, KY. Funeral services will follow at 7:00 p.m. with Reverend Steve Temple presiding.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Prater Family Cemetery, Polly Hollow-Right Fork Road, Middlesboro, KY.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of the Middlesboro Health and Rehabilitation Center-especially Keylee, Trista, and the dietary staff who worked diligently to prepare foods that Virgil would enjoy.

Online register book and condolences are available at www.cawoodfh.com.

All arrangements for Virgil R. Prater, III are under the care of Cawood Funeral Home, Middlesboro, KY.