Emanuel Eugene Pruitt

Emanuel Eugene Pruitt, 93, of Surgoinsville, Tennessee, was born in Osaka, Virginia on December 18, 1930. Emanuel was married to Verdabell (Ann) Behrends Pruitt from Lone Rock, Iowa on May 9, 1953, in Washington D.C., they were married 60 years prior to Ann’s death in 2013. At the age of 19, Emanuel enlisted in the United States Air Force. He valued his service highly and attained the rank of Senior Master Sergeant before his retirement after 22 years of service, including stints in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his meritorious service in Vietnam. His service also sent him and his family around the world, including assignments in Japan, France, Newfoundland, The Philippines, and several US states. Upon retirement from the Air Force, he returned to the Surgoinsville area where he owned a small business and then worked for TVA until retirement. He enjoyed all types of fishing, camping, watching the Tennessee Volunteers, Old Westerns, gardening, and traveling to visit Air Force friends. He was a faithful member of New Providence Presbyterian Church. Emanuel is preceded by parents, Andrew and Ina Brown Pruitt; his wife, Verdabell (Ann) Behrends Pruitt; son, David Pruitt; siblings, Barnie Pruitt, Reba Pruitt, Fenton Pruitt, Marie Pruitt Bright. Emanuel is survived by son Kevin Pruitt (Kim), College Grove, Tennessee; daughter Denise Pruitt, Hinton, West Virginia; son Randall Pruitt (Jeannie), Mount Carmel; grandchildren, Taylor Pruitt (Katelyn), Nashville; Landon Pruitt, Rogersville; Lauren Pruitt, Knoxville; sisters, Phyllis Pruitt Golden, Rogersville; Sue Pruitt Hinkle, Surgoinsville; brother Robert Pruitt (Mary Jane), Surgoinsville; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family would like to express our gratitude to the staffs at Asbury-Steadman Hill, and NHC Healthcare-Kingsport for their support and care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to New Providence Presbyterian Church, Surgoinsville. A private celebration / interment service will be held at a future date. Carter-Trent Funeral Home in Church Hill is serving the Pruitt family.