Michael Elza Pruitt

Monday, August 15, 2016
Michael Elza Pruitt

Michael Elza Pruitt of Nevada, Mo., peacefully went home to be with Jesus at Freeman Hospital, Joplin, Mo., on Aug. 12, 2016. He was born on Dec. 24, 1943 in Fort Scott, Kan., to Elza R. and Bernice Louise (Killion) Pruitt. He accepted the Lord and was baptized at a very young age. He served the Lord all of his life. At the time of his passing he was a deacon and pianist and a long time Sunday school teacher at the Calvary Baptist Church, Nevada, Mo. For the last six years, he and his wife hosted a ladies' Bible study in their home. He attended a one-room school near Devon, Kan., and later moved with his parents to Mapleton, Kan. He graduated from high school at Fulton, Kan., in 1961. He received his associate's degree from Fort Scott Community College, Fort Scott, Kan., his BS and Master Degrees in education from Pittsburg State University, majoring in industrial technology with wood working his major field. He began teaching "wood shop" with his first year in Stark, Kan., and then eight years at Metz, Mo. He finished with 30 years of teaching service at Liberal, Mo. Following full time teaching, he taught half-time at Bronaugh, Mo. For the last two years he substitute taught at Bronaugh and at Nevada Regional Technical Center in Nevada. During his life, Michael had been active on the Bronaugh Park Board and Bronaugh City Council. He also served on advisory boards for the Bronaugh R-7 Schools and the Nevada R-5 NRTC Welding Technology Program. Michael loved teaching and loved his students.

He was united in marriage to Sharon Belle Fulton on Oct. 6, 1972 at the Pleasant Hill Methodist Church, Pleasant Hill, Mo. The couple lived in Kansas City for one year, and then moved to Nevada in 1973. In 1976 they moved to Bronaugh, Mo. There, they helped raise several foster children. In 2014, the couple sold the home that they built and loved 22 years earlier and moved to Nevada, Mo., where they currently reside.

His three children and grandchildren were the pride and joy of his life They are, James Kent Pruitt and wife Paula Marie (Farran) Pruitt, Sarah Ann (Pruitt) Morris and husband, Christopher Ray Morris, and Timothy Michael Pruitt and wife Patricia Diane (Goertz) Pruitt, all of Nevada, Mo.

Grandchildren are Elienor S. Pruitt, Katherine J. Pruitt, Annabelle P. Morris, Emma C. Morris, James C. Morris, Ella G. Morris, Natalie E. Pruitt and Levi T. Pruitt.

Michael was preceded in death by two infant sisters, his parents, Bernice Louise and Elza R. Pruitt, mother and father-in-law Dorthy O. and James S. Fulton and brother and sister-in-law James A. and Lauretta Fulton.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon, of the home, children: Kent Pruitt and family, Sarah Morris and family, and Tim Pruitt and family. Also several nieces and nephews, a brother Rev. Allen Pruitt and wife Mary of Fort Scott, Kan., one brother-in-law, Lewis "Chuck" Fulton and wife Gwen, of Pleasant Hill, Mo., as well as a host of friends and former students.

Michael's Celebration of Life will be held at the Calvary Baptist Church, Arch and Cedar Streets in Nevada, Mo., on Aug. 17, 2016. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with the service beginning at 10:30 a.m. The interment will be at a later date in the Osceola Cemetery, Osceola, Mo.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the charity of the donor's choice.

You may view obituary and send condolences on line at www.ferryfuneralhome.com