Jonell Pratt
1929 – 2025
Jonell Pratt passed away February 26th, 2025, at the age of 95. Thirty-four days before her 96th birthday. She was born April 3rd, 1929, in Safford, Arizona. She was the only child born to Nellie Kempton and Walter Lines. She was the oldest of 22 1st cousins. Her parents divorced when she was young, her mother later married P.T. Coleman in August 1940. Jonell, her mother and P.T. moved to California in 1942. P.T. served as a Deputy Sherriff in the Searles Valley area until 1951. Jonell started 8th grade in Trona. She went on to High School in Trona where she made many new friends and was involved in many school activities.

After High School, Jonell went to San Bernardino Jr. College. She became a Majorette and marched in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. After Graduation she went back to Trona and began working at the Elementary School as a Secretary. Within a year the principal asked her to take over a class due to a teacher leaving. He convinced her to go back to school to get her bachelor’s in education. He got her an emergency teaching credential, so she continued to teach 2nd grade. In September 1951 Jonell married Elden Pratt, a US Marine Corp Veteran from WW II. They bought a small house in Pioneer Point near Trona.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        In 1955 they moved to Redondo Beach, California. Elden went to work for SCE as a Machinist. In 1956 she and her husband moved into a new home in West Torrance, California. Jonell continued to pursue her degree in education while also working for the Torrance Unified School District at Steele Elementary School before her children were born. She went back to teaching in Torrance as a substitute teacher, taking many long-term assignments. She became a Travel Agent after she retired from teaching. She traveled to every continent except Australia and Antarctica. She especially loved traveling, by cruise ship, with a close group of friends. Jonell was also a member of the Emblem Club in San Bernardino, and the Junior Women’s Club in Redondo Beach. 

Jonell was a very strong, social, independent and intelligent women. She moved to Murrieta in the Fall of 2018 with her daughter. She wanted to live closer to her son, daughter-in-law and only grandson. She was a devoted Daughter, Wife, Mother and Grandmother. She will be greatly missed by those who were fortunate enough to know her.

She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 38 years, her mother, father, stepfather and 9 1st cousins. She is survived by her daughter Kristen, son Kurt, daughter-in-law Rosa and grandson Connor.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday March 22nd, 2025, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Washington Ave in Murrieta. Interment will be held on Thursday 27th, 2025 at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. The family requests in lieu of flowers that a donation be made to the American Heart Association.