Frank Pruitt

Frank H. Pruitt, 93, of Spartanburg, died Monday, December 10, 2012, following a short illness. Born September 10, 1919, in Spartanburg, he was the son of the late Noah and Lucy Wyatt Pruitt. Mr. Pruitt was a lifelong resident of Spartanburg, SC, except for the time he spent in the U. S. Army during World War II. He was one of the first draftees in Spartanburg County, entering the Army on March 15, 1941 at Fort Jackson, Columbia, SC. He was placed in the 30th Infantry Division, known as Old Hickory, and served at Fort Jackson, Camp Blanding, FL, Camp Forest, TN, and Camp Atterbury, IN, before being shipped to Scotland, on to England, and later landed on Omaha Beach in France on D-Day plus 3 to fight through France, Belgium, and the Netherlands to the edge of Germany where the Germans surrendered on May 12, 1945. Upon return to civilian life, Frank returned to his job at Hammond-Brown Jennings Furniture Store as display manager. In 1955, he went to work for Bridges Furniture Store and became manager in 1961 and continued in that position until his retirement in 1984. He served on the Chamber of Commerce Merchant's Bureau and in the Army National Guard from 1946-1965. He has been a member of Southside Baptist Church since 1947, holding many positions as Sunday School Director, Training Union Director, teacher, Chairman of Deacons, and many different committees. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Florence S. Pruitt; daughters, Sherry Alley (Manson), Mary McGraw (Tom), and Peggy Bannister (Jeff); six grandchildren, Sharon Tonkin, Richard Alley, Elizabeth McGowan, Anne Plantin, Graydon and Stephen Bannister; three great-grandchildren, Gary and Audrey Trevellick, and Taylor Alley. He was predeceased by three brothers, W. O., Rufus, and Horace Pruitt; and three sisters, Anne Blythe, Mabel Willis, and Lucille Bridges. Visitation will be 1:30-2:45 PM Thursday, December 13, 2012, at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel. Funeral services will follow at 3:00 PM, at the Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Herbert Garrett and the Rev. Dr. Benjamin Littlejohn. Burial with military rites by the SC State Guard Honors Team will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mobile Meals Service, PO Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304; or to a charity of one's choice. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Frank H. Pruitt please visit our Sympathy Store.