Howard "Joe" Pratt

Howard Walter “Joe” Pratt, 86, a resident of Broadway, passed away on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

Mr. Pratt was born on May 27, 1938 in Randolph County, West Virginia and was a son of the late Alfred Walter and Virginia Leona Davis Pratt. He graduated from Thomas High School in West Virginia and then enlisted in the Army from 1962 until 1964 where he was stationed in Germany for over half that time. He was awarded the Sharpshooter Medal during his time in the military. For over 30 years, Howard drove a bus for both the county and city school systems. He enjoyed telling stories, including those about his childhood, military service, his work at the department of corrections, and bus trips. He worked for the Virginia Department of Corrections, retiring after 25 years of employment. A man of faith, he was a longtime member of Singers Glen Baptist Church, Stanley New Hope Pentecostal and most recently a member of Ray of Hope Church in Harrisonburg. In his spare time, Howard loved hunting, fishing, craft woodworking, and spending time with his family.

On December 24, 1961, he married Jessie Mae Smith Pratt who survives.

Also surviving are his children, Joey Pratt of Bridgewater, Jimmy Pratt and wife Cindy of Dryfork, West Virginia, Cindy Holsinger and husband Jeff of Broadway, Lisa Dooley Miller and husband Tom of Rockingham, Becky Ritchie and husband Kirt of Timberville; sister, Linda Nesselrodt and husband Jarrett of Harrisonburg; grandchildren, Steven Holsinger (Jennifer), Sarah Holsinger (Dane Boller), Kevin Pratt (Mandie Ruckman), Alyssa Cody Harpster (Bryce), Bryanna Andres (Marco), Kaylie Shifflett, Sumer Hott, Tanner Ritchie, Spencer Ritchie (Mandy); 11 great-grandchildren, Jacob, Aspen, Kara, Quincy, Lincoln, Emilia, Eliyanah, Arian, Grayson, Blake, Evie; and sisters-in-law, Barbara Pratt, Norma Pratt, Alice Pratt.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Pratt was preceded in death by his siblings, Robert “Bobby” Pratt, Richard Pratt, Vernon Pratt; a daughter-in-law Frances Pratt; son-in-law, Floyd Dooley Jr; and his beloved chihuahua, “ Rascal”

Pastors Jimmy Kite and Al Bashlor will conduct a funeral service at Ray of Hope Church on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens with military rites by the Dayton American Legion Post 27.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Harrisonburg/Rockingham SPCA, PO Box 413, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22803 or to the Shriners Hospital for Children’s, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa FL 33607.

Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.mcmullenfh.com.

McMullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.