Fay Pryor Hathaway, age 91 of Malvern, died Friday, October 21, 2011 in the Arbor Oaks Health and Rehab. She was born on July 17, 1920 in Bauxite, Arkansas to the late John Louis Pryor and Edna Phillips Pryor. She earned her BSE and MSE degrees from Henderson State University and did post graduate work at the University of New Mexico , Albuquerque , and Northwest State Teachers College in Flagstaff , Arizona . After having taught school for 40 years, she retired from the public school system in 1982. Fay had been an active member of the Retired Teachers Association, and served two terms as president of the local retired teachers association. A professed Christian since her teens, she was a member of Trinity Baptist Church .

Fay was also preceded in death by a nephew, John Erwin Pryor, and three husbands.

She is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Ray and Vesta Pryor of Malvern; one niece, Annette Powers, one nephew, Dr. Lou R. Pryor; four great-nephews, Ray Pryor, III, Stefan Pryor, Jason Powers, and Scott Powers; three great-nieces, Rose Powers, Christen Schmidt, and Stephanie Pryor.

Her funeral will be two o'clock Sunday afternoon, October 30, 2011 in the chapel of J. A. Funk Funeral Home with Brother Tim Carpenter officiating. A visitation will precede the service, beginning at one o'clock. Interment in Fairplay Cemetery will follow the funeral.

Pallbearers will be Randy Burks, Jesse Rucker, Tony Wherry, Mike Burris, Kevin Hunt, and Randy Dugger.

Honorary pallbearers are Lowell Mobley, Patsy Taylor, Helen Bailey, CNAs and RNs with HSCMC Home Health, Odyssey Hospice, and all others who have worked for her, including Rita Frazier, who also cared for Fay's mother, Edna Pryor.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.