News Summary
Ruth Lynn Prados, a cherished matriarch and community advocate from Knoxville, TN, has passed away at the age of 95. Surrounded by family at her home, she is remembered for her strong spirit, dedication to her family, and involvement in the community. Lynn lived a remarkable life, overcoming significant challenges and leaving a legacy of love and kindness. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled, with her family requesting memorial donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation and Young-Williams Animal Center in lieu of flowers.
Knoxville, TN – Ruth Lynn (Baird) Prados, a beloved matriarch and community advocate, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on June 23, 2025. She had recently celebrated her 95th birthday on March 7 and faced a severe decline in health due to Parkinson’s disease in her final years. Lynn is survived by her husband, John Prados, with whom she shared a remarkable 73 years of marriage.
In addition to her husband, Lynn is survived by three daughters: Elizabeth Bowman and her husband Fred, Laura Prados, and Anne Lynch and her husband Ashby. Lynn’s family also includes three granddaughters: Mary Beth Aguilar and her husband Alfredo, Laura Lynch Mace and her husband Tim, and Caroline Prados Burks. She is fondly remembered by her great-grandchildren: Virginia Mace, Selina Aguilar, Diego Aguilar, and Frankie Mace.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted on June 29, 2025, at St. John XXIII University Parish, with a graveside service scheduled for the following day. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the Young-Williams Animal Center.
Born in 1930 in a reputedly haunted antebellum home on Woodson Ridge near Oxford, Mississippi, Lynn’s early life was marked by resilience. At age eight, she and her family moved to a cotton farm near Marks, where she assisted her father in rebuilding tractors and farm equipment. This strong work ethic and determination were evident when, at 17 years old, she survived being hit by a truck while exiting a school bus. After months of recovery, she returned to school, graduating as valedictorian and class president, while also being honored with the senior superlative for “most expressive face.”
Lynn attended Jones County Junior College for a year before graduating from the University of Mississippi with degrees in chemistry and biology. It was there that she met John Prados at the school library; the couple married in Oxford in 1951. Their marriage set the stage for a life spent together, following John’s service with the US Air Force across various states including Mississippi, New Mexico, and Maine.
Following the birth of her first daughter, Elizabeth, Lynn worked as a lab technician until choosing to become a stay-at-home mom. She immersed herself in her daughters’ lives, emphasizing their education and extracurricular interests. Beyond motherhood, she completed a Famous Artists correspondence course, participated in the Dogwood Arts festival, and was admired for her sewing skills, crafting garments for herself and her daughters.
Lynn actively participated in her community as a Girl Scout leader and served as the president of the school PTA, reflecting her commitment to family and community service. Coming from a musical family, she learned to play the piano as a child and later played the mandolin in a family band, eventually taking up the guitar as an adult and performing with music groups at St. John XXIII University Parish.
After becoming certified as a medical technologist, Lynn returned to work in response to family needs and provided care for her first grandchild, while also looking after her elderly parents and in-laws. Her battle with breast cancer, which she bravely overcame, did not deter her spirit, allowing her to continue enjoying life with family.
Throughout her life, Lynn and John traveled extensively, visiting places such as Brazil, England, Germany, France, Scotland, and Japan. They also cherished family trips, including several trips to Disney World as her health began to decline. In her later years, she found joy in watching her great-grandchildren grow, continuing to enrich their lives through her wisdom and love.
Lynn expressed gratitude towards the caregivers from Right at Home healthcare and the dedicated nurses and doctors from UT Hospice Care for their support during her health challenges. Her legacy of love, kindness, and advocacy will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
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