Carolyn Jean Pruitt
Carolyn Jean Pruitt was born on November 28, 1942 to George and Agatha Phillips in Valley Park, MO. In 1960, Carolyn graduated Valley Park High School and later received an Associates Degree at Meramec Community College. Carolyn was a devoted and loving mother to Regina Ann Fortner, James Edward Finder and Francis Bernard Finder, II. She was a head start teacher and served as President of the Valley Park School District Parents and Teachers Association among other community services.
On June 2, 1979, Carolyn was united in marriage to Billie Joe Pruitt of Ellisville, MO. Together, they blended their families of Kenny, Robert, Brenda, Gina, James and Frank.
In 1985, Bill and Carolyn moved to Gerald, MO where they found their forever dream home. Together they moved their family business, Bill’s Foreign Car Service, to Sullivan, MO. Later, they opened Carolyn’s Ice Cream and a Grey Hound bus stop for Sullivan, MO in the same building as their foreign care repair shop. Carolyn eventually turned her ice cream store into Carolyn’s Country Corner, an antique resale store. She enjoyed curating and repurposing antiques and reselling them to her many happy customers.
In 2001, Bill and Carolyn retired and built their car repair shop on the property of their forever home that included their 10 acre private lake, Whispering Winds Lake. They spent 38 happy years in their beautiful lake home.
Carolyn is survived by her husband, Billie Joe Pruitt of Gerald, MO; her daughter Regina Ann Fortner (Mark) of Wentzville, MO; her son James Edward Finder (Karen) of Vass, NC; her son Francis Bernard Finder II (Beth) of Lake Saint Louis, MO; her stepson Kenneth Pruitt (wife) of Fenton, MO; her stepdaughter Brenda Barca of Virginia Beach, Va. Her siblings, sister Rose Marie Rice (Bob) of Poplar Bluff, MO; her sister Betty Lou Williams of Jackson, MO; her brother John Lindsey Phillips of Saint Peters, MO.; her brother Charles Robert Phillips (Anita) of Eureka, MO; her sister Mary Elizabeth Andeline (Gary) of Sunrise Beach, MO; her grandchildren, Anthony Francis Fortner, Andrew Joseph Fortner, Zakary Jarod Finder and Riley James Finder as well as, many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
She is proceeded in death by her stepson Robert Pruitt; her brother George Arthur Phillips; her sister Ruth Ann (Pumpkin) Brown; her sister Donna Gale Long; and finally her beloved parents George and Agatha Phillips.
Carolyn will be missed by all that knew her for her infectious laugh, her sense of humor and her ability to make everyone feel welcome.
Visitation, Tuesday, February 7, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Mortuary. Service, Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. followed by the Graveside Service at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Family and friends can review and share stories, photos, and condolences online at www.stlfuneral.com. Follow details of this event and others in the community at www.facebook.com/stlchapelhill.