Elza R. Pruitt

Elza R. Pruitt, 93, Fort Scott, Kan., died late Saturday, April 9, 2005, at the Fort Scott Manor Nursing Home. He was born Nov. 28, 1911, in Shawnee, Okla., the son of James Asa Pruitt and Lucy Ellen Watkins Pruitt. He married Bernice Killion on Jan. 29, 1934, in Fort Scott.

He and his wife owned and operated the Pruitt Grocery in Devon, Kan., from 1936 to 1947. He farmed until 1953. He then opened the Pruitt Grocery Store in Mapleton, Kan., until his retirement in 1973, when he moved to Fort Scott. He was a member of the Devon Baptist Church. He served with the merchant marines during World War II.

Survivors include his wife, Bernice, of the home; two sons, Allen Pruitt, Fort Scott, and Michael Pruitt, Bronaugh; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Asa Pruitt; and a half brother, James Pruitt.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., today, in the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Paul Rooks officiating. Burial followed in Centerville Cemetery near Devon, Kan.

Memorials are suggested to the "Bearing Precious Seed Ministry" and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701.