James Preston Pruitt

James Pruitt, 83, of Corinth passed away peacefully, Thursday evening, January 25th, surrounded by his family. James Preston Pruitt was born July 3, 1934 in Covington, TN to Edward and Floy Mix Pruitt. He married his childhood sweetheart, Marie Fowler, in 1954. He was employed 30+ years at General Electric both in Chicago, IL and Selmer, TN. After retirement he spent a lot of time in his workshop building cabinets and other projects, as well as rocking chairs and rocking horses for his grandchildren. He loved to fish and spent many mornings out on the lake, even making his own jigs. His hobbies were woodworking and fishing, but he would be the first to say his real treasures were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. “Papaw” spent many hours playing with them, going camping, and at the same time teaching them to hunt, fish, and just how to be a good person, father or mother. He always took time to stop and make each child feel special. His example has been carried on by his children, and now his grandchildren. J.P. is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marie; two sons, Chris Pruitt (Suzette) of Corinth, and Monty Pruitt (Jan) of Jackson, TN and one daughter, Susan Houston (Dale) of Corinth; seven grandchildren, Sabrina Nunley (Jesse) of Muscle Shoals, AL, Will Pruitt of Yorktown, VA, Erika Pruitt of Corinth, Wayne Pruitt (Crystal) of Ramer, TN, Charles Pruitt (Rebecca) of Corinth, Monica Lorick (Matt) of Pontotoc, MS, Michael King (Shaina) of Aberdeen, MS, sixteen great-grandchildren: Hunter, Jacey, Austin, Kylie, Wyatt, Weston, Camden, Nevaeh, C.J., Molleigh, Preston, Hunter P., Brandon, Nate, Kaden, and Dakota. JP is survived by one sister, Sue Qualls of Covington, TN, and two brothers, Clifton (Glenda) and Phillip (Bertha) of Covington, TN, with many nieces and nephews, relatives, and friends, including a special neighbor and friend, Rusty Askew. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Floy Pruitt, two brothers, Wayne Pruitt, and George Pruitt, and two sisters, Faye Jones, and Helen Fowler. A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 pm, Sunday, January 28th at Magnolia Funeral Home with Minister John Mayes officiating the service. Visitation will take place Sunday at 12:00 pm prior to the service at 2:00 pm at the funeral home. His grandchildren will serve as his pallbearers; burial will take place at Forrest Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pinevale Children’s Home here in Corinth.