Rev. James Paul Pruitt

Abbeville - A Homegoing service for Rev. James Paul Pruitt, age 90, will be held at 2:00PM at Abbeville Pentecostal Church on Saturday, February 15, 2025 with Pastor Cody Bryant, Rev. Ricki Pavlu, and Rev. Wesley Jackson officiating.  Interment will be at the Holder Cemetery in Bienville, La on Sunday February 16, 2025 at 2:00PM under the direction of Frioux-David Funeral Home.

Visitation will be held at Abbeville Pentecostal Church on Saturday, February 15, 2025 beginning at 12:00PM until the time of the services.

Reverend Pruitt was born in Tyler, Texas in 1934.  When he left home as a young teen, he travelled the United States by train working as a rider and hand for the circus. On his journeys he met his Betty Jo and swept her off her feet, quite literally, to hear the story told.  They married in 1951 and began their 71 years together.  Rev. Pruitt’s pastoral work began with the United Pentecostal Church in 1967 in Arcadia, La and eventually led he and Betty to Abbeville where they retired in 2007.

He made sure there was always room at his house for a visit, a meal, and a late night game around the kitchen table or perhaps a new paperback western to share.  There are many people who will remember a time that he invited them to dinner, shared a bag of satsumas or fresh tomatoes from his garden, or offered a prayer in their time of need.  From the carpenter in overalls, the gardener with green thumbs, the man on horseback chasing elk in Colorado, to the Pastor with 50 years with the United Pentecostal Church, he was consistent in his message, his faith, and his love for his family and congregation.

Somewhere tonight, there’s a glass of tea being filled by Betty Jo and possibly a crawfish boil under his direction.

He is survived by a son, Rev. Tex Pruitt (Medina); three daughters, Jamie North, Dr. Juanita Lockett (Jerome), and Zula Odell (Terry); 12 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and 5 (soon to be 6) great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jo, a daughter, Pamela Allen; and a son in law Rev. Philip North.

Serving as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be Jeffery Parker, James Pruitt Jr, Philip North, Keith Clark III, Clayton Pruitt, Chad Pruitt, Jonathan North, David Austin, Carlos Pruitt, Eraitt Austin II, Twila Alford, Rebekah Craft, and Ashley Hanks.

Family and friends may sign the guest register book and/or send condolences at www.davidfuneralhome.org.

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