"Emma Mae opened her home to me while in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and made me feel as one of the family for my time in their home. She was a blessing to all who knew her. "
In loving memory of
Emma Mae Pruitt
March 14, 1939 - January 24, 2021
EMMA MAE OWENS PRUITT
NICHOLS, Iowa - Emma Mae Pruitt of Nichols, Iowa, left this earth on Sunday, January 24, 2021, after a battle with various physical illnesses. A special thanks to the staff at University and Mercy Hospitals in Iowa City for their professional and loving care. Emma Mae was surrounded to the end by her loving family as she proceeded to her new home with God.
A private interment was held January 30, 2021 at Lamar Cemetery near Elmo, Missouri. A memorial service for Emma Mae is being planned for Saturday, July 24, 2021 from 3-4pm at the Muscatine Church of Christ, 3603 Mulberry Avenue. Family will be available at the Church for visitation from 2-3pm and 4-5pm. All friends and family are welcome to attend. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers will be in charge of arrangements. Those wanting to remember Emma Mae's passion for helping young Christian ladies may contribute to "God's Girls Fund" at Muscatine Church of Christ, 3603 Mulberry Avenue, Muscatine, IA 52761. Online memorials may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.
Emma Mae had a wonderful life with the family she so dearly loved. Born on March 14, 1939 at the farm home of her parents, Paul and Marie Owens, she grew up with a loving Christian family in rural northwest Missouri. As a teenager she loved horses and excelled in 4-H winning many awards including a trip to Chicago. She loved music, singing and playing the piano and saxophone. Besides her parents, Emma Mae was raised with an older brother Robert of Shawnee Kansas, and younger sisters Linda Younger of Hopkins, Missouri, Rosalea (and Bill) Kelley of Maryville, Missouri, and Carla (and Paul) Taylor of Skidmore, Missouri. Emma Mae graduated from Hopkins High School and Northwest Missouri State University with a degree in Home Economics. She taught Family and Consumer Science at West Liberty, Iowa High School for 18 years.
She met Lynn Pruitt at college and they married in September 1960. They were blessed with four sons, Stephen (and Shaoli) of Atlanta, Georgia; Bryan (and Jan) of Birmingham, Alabama; Dennis (and Naam) of Glendale, Missouri; and Mark (and Kim) of Searcy, Arkansas. Additional blessings are 12 grandchildren, Misha, Ian, Ting, Caroline, Elizabeth, Jackson, Brooks, Bennett, Anna, Maggie, Phoenix and Luke. Emma Mae loved her family so much and expressed it with cards, calls, cookies, gifts and hugs.
Emma Mae was a faithful member of the Muscatine Church of Christ where she provided floral displays, bulletin boards, and most recently hosted a group of young ladies which she called God's Girls. Her home was open to these girls and also to dinners and parties, and often served as a respite for people needing a placed to stay. She loved designing and planting flower beds resulting in a yard/garden which drew the appreciation of many. She and Lynn were active members of the Muscatine County Master Gardeners. Emma Mae loved to do embroidery and to read, and thoroughly enjoyed being stuck at home during a snow storm. The Bible was her favorite book but she often dug through a historical biography or a novel.
Emma Mae enjoyed travel almost as much as staying home. Visiting family was tops, including trips with Lynn to their children or to "our cabin" located on the family farm in northwest Missouri close to her three sisters. She was always up to an informal trip down a country lane but also thoroughly enjoyed traveling to and living in Malaysia and Thailand as part of Lynn's work.
Being a fan of nature, Emma Mae loved the out-of-doors, the seasons, and anything related to God's creation. One didn't have to be around her long to appreciate her genuine faith, integrity and love for God.
Those remaining to remember Emma Mae's life include her husband Lynn Pruitt of Nichols, her sons along with their wives and children, her brother and sisters, and several special friends.
Preceding her in death were her parents.
Tributes
"Dear Lynn and family, Emma Mae's passing is sad to Barb and me, We send our condolences and heartfelt wishes that God will give you solace in the certain knowledge that she is at peace with her much loved Lord and savior. We will always remember her for her grace and genuine kindness. May she rest in peace. Your friends, Dudley and Barbara Hanson"
"Mrs. Pruitt was small and quiet, but she was a strong anchor for her family and the Muscatine church of Christ. Growing up, I don't remember a church gathering or function where she was not volunteering, organizing and facilitating. She was generous to share her expertise and her blessings. As much as she will be missed, her legacy of love and service is something that has inspired generations of people she came into contact with, and her memory is strong. Separate from that, no one who knows one of her sons has any doubt that her influence lives on in the love they have for their families and the Lord. She taught them to treasure what matters most. God truly blessed Mrs. Pruitt, and she in turn blessed those of us who knew her. "
"Dear Lynn and family, My thoughts are with you and your family at this time. My first memory of Emma Mae was the reception you held at your house in the fall of 1974 for Dr. G.V.V. Rau when joined Stanley Consultants. It is a great pleasure to consider you as a long time friend. Remember, imagine you are a raindrop. Dell Wagner"
"Emma Mae was a genuine, kind, and loving person. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Pruitt family. "
"Emma Mae was one of the kindest, Christian ladies I know. I have so many fond memories of her when I was a child all the way thru adulthood. She?s always had a smile on her face and a hug for me each time I saw her. My most recent and treasured memory was just a couple of years ago I spent the morning with her gathering some of her most beautiful flowers for a party for my parents. She didn?t have to do this and yet she did. The flowers were breathtaking and I will treasure my memory of our time together. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her."
"Lynn and family;I'm sorry to hear of Emma's passing.I remember so well and you and the boys when I lived in Muscatine;and went to the church there.I've not been in Iowa in a long time.I will keep you all in my prayers. Jo Latimer-Mabe."