Rader was born in Gassaway, Braxton County, West Virginia, USA, on 27 March 1879 (claimed 1878), to parents John Henry Simmons and Alcinda Cottrell.

At some point, she married John Rader (1880–1969). The couple had 6 children: Garland Rader, Lanta Elsworth Rader (1908–1999), Marmel Brown (1910–1998), Orlando Rader (1912–2009), Marie Murell Costello (1914–2005), and Juanita Tanner (1920–2014).

At the age of 106, she was reading newspapers with the aid of a magnifying glass, and she was fond of watching football and basketball on television. She was of the Baptist faith. At the age of 109, she moved to Rock Spring.

Rader passed away at the home of her daughters in Rock Spring, Georgia, USA, on 1 February 1990, at the age of 110 years, 311 days. She was survived by five children, 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great-grandchildren.