Betty Blevins Pruitt

Abbeville – A Homegoing Service for Mrs. Betty Blevins Pruitt, 93, will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Abbeville Pentecostal Church with Rev. A.L. Lyle, Rev. Ricki Pavlu, Rev. Wesley Jackson, and Pastor Cody Bryant officiating.  Interment will be held at 2:00PM on Sunday, January 15, 2023 at Holder Cemetery in Bienville, LA.

Visitation will be at Abbeville Pentecostal Church on Saturday, January 14, 2023 beginning at 10:00AM until the time of the services.

A native of Exeter, VA and a resident of Abbeville, Mrs. Pruitt died at 11:07AM on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at Maison du Monde Nursing Center.

Betty Jo as she was lovingly known by her family and close friends was a generous and gracious lady who dedicated her life to the things she loved, her husband, children, grandchildren and her church which included many lifelong friends.  She was an exceptional cook and hostess, a musician with “pitch perfect” ear, a teacher, writer, public speaker and organizer, just to name a “few” of her accomplishment in her 93 years.  She and her husband began their pastoral ministry in 1967 at Arcadia, Louisiana and retiring in Abbeville in 2007.

Her cooking skills were exceptional and those who sat at her table experienced a culinary delight every time she served them.  A skill which she so proudly passed on to her daughters and granddaughters thru advice, instruction, and encouragement.  She loved to share her knowledge which was vast.

Music was a passion she had from an early age.  She began singing around the age of 5 and would be accompanied on the mandolin by her brother, Gaines.  She lovingly trained her children and numerous young adults in the art of music.  She encouraged them to strive for perfection.

Betty Jo was a champion for those who wanted to dedicate their life to God.  She had the ability to counsel without judgement, to encourage and never discourage.  With this unique ability she groomed her children, friends, and many others to serve God.

She was a friend true and steadfast always giving of herself to others.  She will be missed by many, most of all by her husband Sweet Pretty Paul Pete who was so handsome.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 71 years, Rev. James Paul Pruitt of Abbeville; a son, James L. “Tex” Pruitt and his wife Medina of Bienville; three daughters, Jamie P. North of Zwolle, Dr. Juanita P. Lockett and her husband Dr. Jerome of Belton, TX, and Zula Joetta O’Dell and her husband Terry of New Iberia; a sister, Sandra Sue Gastmeier and her husband Tom; thirteen grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clayton and Ruby Chandler Blevins; a daughter, Pamela Jean Allen; a son-in-law, Rev. Philip A.J. North; two brothers, Gaines L. Blevins and Harlis C. Blevins; and a sister, Zula Loretta Wright.

Serving as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be, Jeffery Allen Parker, James L. Pruitt, Jr., Philip J. P. North, Keith W. Clark, III, Thomas Clayton Pruitt, Chad Randal Pruitt, Jonathan R. D. North, David J. Austin, Carlos L. Pruitt, Eraitt V. Austin, II, Twila N. Alford, S. Rebekah Hall, and Ashley J. D. Austin.

David Funeral Home of Abbeville at 2600 Charity St. (337)893-3777 will be handling the arrangements.