Dedra Jean Prester

Dedra Jean  Prester, 73, of Meadville, passed away Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Meadville, PA.
 
Dedra was born in St. Petersburg, FL, on December 19, 1948, a daughter of the late Sevelle and Erma (Brinson) Brown. She and her family moved to Meadville in 1962.  After graduating from Meadville High School, Dedra attended Cheyney University in Philadelphia and earned a teaching degree in Home Economics.  She taught middle school for several years in Philadelphia. 
On April 2, 1977 Dedra married Donald Prester; he survives. A year later they moved back to Meadville with their children. Dedra worked at Meadville Medical Center for 31 years, retiring as the Manager of the Dietary Department.  

Dedra was dedicated to her church, family and community. She was an active member of Bethel  AM & E Church where she had served as Treasurer and Stewardess.  Dedra was a member of the Board of Directors of the YWCA, NAACP, Head Start and the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Committee. She was a member of the Abigail Chapter of the Eastern Star. She loved volunteering and had a serving heart.   In 1988 she co-authored a book, along with Dr. Armendia Dixon, titled, "Meadville Ebony Genealogy of Sorts".  She proudly passed down the importance of family, church, service and community, to her children, nieces and nephews. She will be sadly missed.
 
In addition to her husband, Donald, of Sharon, Dedra is survived by three children. Mikel Prester (Suzanne) of Centerville, Danielle Prester (David Benjamin) of Buffalo, NY, Dedra Prester of Denver, CO; three brothers Vincent Brown (Sue), Craig Brown both of Meadville, Erick Brown of North East, MD; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
 
In addition to her parents, Dedra was preceded in death by a sister Joyce Frazier.
 
Family and friends are invited to call from 4-6 PM on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at STEPHEN P. MIZNER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 404 CHESTNUT ST., MEADVILLE, where a Going Home Service will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday.
 
Dedra will be laid to rest in Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made in Dedra's memory to Black Women's Health Study, Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University Medical Campus, 72 East Concord St., L-7, Boston, MA 02118.
 
Share a memory or condolence at www.miznerfuneralhome.com