Estelle Pruitt

Estelle Pruitt of Topeka, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away Monday, February 18, 2013. At 97 years old and married for 76 years, she lived a full and happy life. She will be dearly missed by all her knew and loved her.

She was born January 4, 1916 in Fayetteville, TN, the daughter of John A. and Elminia (Wheeler) Sanders. She was a 1936 graduate of Huntsville High School, Huntsville, AL.

Estelle married the love of her life, Robert Pruitt, on February 4, 1937 in Scottsboro, AL. They moved to Topeka in 1942.

She worked at Forbes Army Air Base during the war and at Ray Beers for three years after that. She and her husband founded Bush-Pruitt Furniture and Pruitt Appliance Repair in Topeka, which they ran together for 37 years until retirement.

A devoutly faithful Christian, she was a member of Central Church of Christ and later a member of Quivira Heights Church of Christ in Topeka.
Estelle's family was the light of her life. She is survived by her husband Robert; a daughter, Sharon (Stephen) Ink, San Jose, CA; a son, Don (Barb) Pruitt, Overland Park, KS; three grandchildren, Brian (Megan) Ink, Bethany Ink and Wesley Powell; and a great-granddaughter, Cameron Ink. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Ethel Sanders and five brothers, Alton, John, Felton, Everette, Darrel and Albano Sanders.

A funeral ceremony will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, February 23, 2013 at the Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka. Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Topeka. Estelle will lie in state after 3 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 5-6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Quivera Heights Church of Christ, 1718 SW Crest Dr., Topeka, KS 66604 or to Topeka Presbyterian Manor, 4712 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66606.

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