Mrs. Martha W. Pruitt

Beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Martha W. Pruitt died on January 1, 2024 in Seneca, South Carolina. Born July 9, 1948 in Wichita, Kansas, daughter of William Lee and Ethel Wilson. Martha is survived by her children: Rhett Pruitt (Valentijn) Hoff, Missoula, MT; Nicole Lopez-Pruitt, Fairfax, VA; Joshua (Alison) Pruitt, Seneca, SC; Sally Pruitt (Nick) Wackym, Charleston, SC; and Tom Pruitt, Charlotte, NC. Martha also had nine grandchildren: Michael, David and Peter Pruitt of Charlotte, NC; Henry and Sietze Hoff of Missoula, MT; Paloma, Maria, and Jim Lopez-Pruitt of Fairfax, VA; and Jack Henry Pruitt of Seneca, SC. She is also survived by her sisters Kathy Wilson (Ian) Leslie and Rosemary Wilson (Peter) Sloggatt. Martha was predeceased in 2011 by the love of her life, Dr. James R. Pruitt, to whom she was married for forty years. Martha held a Criminal Justice degree from Tri-County Tech, and spent many years in the county justice system working tirelessly for her clients. She was also a Guardian Ad Litem, advocating for the best interests of children involved in court cases. Prior to that, she was the assistant to Dr. Rufus Guthrie, Chair of the Clemson University Biology department. Though she had rewarding careers, Martha will be remembered most vividly as the center of her family’s life and the center of the community that gathered around the Pruitt family. She was warm, witty, kind, beautiful, unflappable and always welcoming. Jim would sit at the kitchen table telling stories and greeting guests, and Martha would be keeping the conversation going and everybody fed. (And the counters wiped, of course.) Martha’s abundant warmth also extended to her large circle of friends, with whom she shared so many happy years and made so many memories. Martha loved beauty and she loved adventure, without pretense. She was equally as excited by a thrift store, a trip to the Canadian Rockies, or the sight of a Carolina wren–-and nothing delighted her heart more than a trip down an unexplored back road with a to-go container of wine. She loved birds, babies, and unwanted animals; Martha volunteered with the Oconee Humane Society for many years, and no animal was ever too motley to be brought home and loved. Martha’s essential nature was loving and nurturing, and she showered that on everyone who came within her sphere. Many people have called since her passing to share the influence she had on their lives, for which the family is very grateful. Those of us lucky enough to love and share our lives with Martha will never forget her warmth, her wit, and her bravery, which was especially evident during the last years. She faced her illness with fortitude and courage, never falling into self-pity and never losing hope. We are grateful that she was able to remain in her home for so long thanks to the presence and help of her son Joshua and his wife Alison. The family also extends their thanks to Martha’s caregivers and to the staff at Cottingham Hospice House. Visitation will be from 11am-1pm on Friday, January 5th at Davenport Funeral Home, 311 S. Highway 11, West Union. Memorial donations may be made to organizations close to Martha’s heart: The South Carolina Botanical Gardens: 150 Discovery Lane, Clemson, SC 29634, Oconee County Humane Society: 1925 Sandifer Blvd., Seneca, SC 29678-0910, The Chattooga Conservancy: 867 Chattooga Ridge Road, Mt. Rest, SC 29664, The Collins Children’s Home: 110 Collins Home Drive, PO BOX 745, Seneca, SC 29679, or charity of your choice.

Mrs. Martha W. Pruitt

July 9, 1948 - January 1, 2024