James W. Pruitt, Sr.'s Obituary
JAMES W. PRUITT, SR. passed away during the night of December 4, 2010. He would have been 93 January 26. He was born in Weir, MS in 1918. He attended Philadelphia MS High School where he was a star football player and where he met his wife-to-be. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years. Francis Elizabeth Pruitt went to be with the Lord August 24, 1997 and by his daughter, Linda Pruitt Day on June 30, 2004. He moved to Memphis in 1942 and was employed by Woods Lumber Co. for 40 years. He started as a laborer and worked his way up to become President of a multi-million dollar company. He remained President until he retired. After retirement he worked for Jones Orchard Co. through the age of 92. He was known as “Peaches Pruitt” the man with the “baby blue eyes”. He was a member of National Avenue Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He also served on many committees, taught Sunday School and sang in the choir and exhibited his beautiful bass voice in it’s renouned quartet. He was now a member of New Church Baptist of Memphis where he attended regularly. He became an avid Ole Miss fan even though he was offered a football scholarship to attend Mississippi State, but was unable to attend due to family circumstances. His favorite pastime was to fish for “slab” crappie at Sardis. He served his country in the Armed Forces (Army) during World War II, where he held the office of 1st Sergeant. He is survived by sons, James (Bill) Pruitt, Jr. (Wendy), Gene Pruitt (Liz); sisters, Pat Herklotz (Don) of Lone Grove, OK, Bonnie Nicholson (Johnnie) of Philadelphia, MS; one brother, Walter Pruitt of Yantly, AL; 8 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was a man’s man and was still active and driving to get his “fix” of coffee, sausage and biscuits until his untimely death. He was the patriarch. He was a wonderful, caring man; the elder of the Pruitt family. He will be greatly missed and his absence will leave a terrible hole in our hearts. We will see you in Heaven “Dad”, “Brother”, “Pappaw”, “Grand Pappaw” and “Friend”. Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 8, at Memorial Park Funeral Home. The Family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, December 7, at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial Park Funeral Home, “Behind the stone wall”, 901-767-8930. Condolences may be offered at www.MemorialParkOnline.com
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