Helen was born in Stewartsville, Missouri on September 17, 1931. She attended school in Plattsburg, Missouri through high school. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Education at Central Missouri State Teachers College (now Central Missouri State University) in Warrensburg, Missouri. There she met Robert "Bob" Franklin Pruitt. Bob and Helen were married on July 12, 1953. They had three children as Bob began his long successful career in Sales and Marketing at Marion Laboratories. Helen, as a dedicated and loving mother, put her degree to good use to raise her family. When they settled in Kansas City, MO in 1957 they joined Colonial Presbyterian Church, where they continued as members for the rest of their lives.
Helen enjoyed being at Bob's side as he organized many professional and social events for Marion Laboratories over the years. Bob also served as President of the Royals Lancers. Family and friends were constantly invited to use their season tickets, sit with the loving couple behind the Kansas City Royals dugout (along the first base line) and cheer for the Royals. Helen was a devoted wife and lived many years with the happy memory of Bob after he passed in 1998. Helen loved to spend time with her family. Her hobbies included golf, playing bridge, growing flowers in her rose garden, and watching birds. She was always reading books, especially historical novels like Hawaii by James Michener.
She was preceded in death by her husband Robert "Bob" Pruitt, daughter Leslie Marie (Pruitt) Ward, son Todd Allan Pruitt, grandson Nathan D. Ward, parents Edwin Allan Killgore and Anna Marie (Berryman) Killgore, brothers Charles (Rita) Killgore, and Robert (Judy) Killgore,
Helen is survived by son-in-law Daniel E. Ward, daughter-in-law Leslie A. Pruitt, sister Mary (Thomas) Warden, and brother John (Lane) Killgore, grandchildren; Nicholas "Nick" Ward, Ethan (Alexia) Pruitt, Emily (Dan) Pruitt Skoglund, Sarah Grace Pruitt, and two great-grandchildren.
Helen departed this world on Mother's Day 2026. She is now reunited with her loving husband, Bob, and their children in heaven. May she rest in peace. Amen.
Visitation will be held at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131, on May 22, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a Celebration of Life at the same location on May 22, 2026, at 11:00 am.
