The Reverend Kenneth Pritt Sr., 86, of DeLand, Florida, formerly of Rand, West Virginia, has “moved up” to be with Jesus, the Lord and Savior of his life on July 5. He was born on November 18, 1933 to the late Densil and Dorothy Pritt.
He died one day before his loving wife Dorothy (“Dot”). He was also preceded in death by their grandson, Kenneth R. “KR” Pritt III; and his brothers and sisters, Johnny, Ronnie, and Bert Pritt, Connie Pritt Ghee and Bonnie Pritt Massey. Kenneth is also survived by brothers, Keith Pritt and Hugh (Peggy) Pritt.
He met his beautiful soul mate, Dot, in eighth grade at DuPont Jr. High School. They married on June 21, 1952 and celebrated their 68th anniversary recently. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserves, was a member of the Rand Lions Club and was an avid DuPont Panther and WVU fan. His work ethic was unbeatable, working full-time, pastoring a church, and taking classes. He worked 39 years at Kroger Warehouse in Kanawha City, mainly operating a forklift truck. He was called by God into the Gospel Ministry and on April 28, 1968 was ordained at his home church Farrar Memorial Baptist in Rand. He pastored small local churches in the Kanawha Valley with his longest tenure of 18 years at Sandy Grove Missionary Baptist. He enjoyed evening Bible classes offered by Appalachian Bible College at Bible Center Church. Many people accepted the Good News of Christ through his ministry. He was a man of highest integrity who had a charismatic personality that showed the unconditional love of Christ to all. No one could tell a story to his grandkids like Pawpaw, and it was always funny, no matter how many times he told it. He was a very giving, sacrificing man, and will be dearly missed.
Dorothy “Dot” Ballengee Pritt, 87, of DeLand, Florida, formerly of Rand, West Virginia, is now in heaven with Jesus, her Lord and Savior. She passed peacefully on July 6. Born April 19, 1933 in Clayton, West Virginia, she was the daughter of the late George H. and Daisy Ballengee. She was preceded in death by one day by her husband Kenneth, her sweetheart of 68 years. She was also preceded in death by their grandson, Kenneth Ray “KR” Pritt III. Dot is also survived by her sister, Carol Wilson (Ron) of Texas.
While as a child attending a Union Mission tent revival, she trusted Jesus as her personal Savior and grew to trust, obey, and love Him more and more. She lived for God and her family and was gifted both with high intelligence and common sense. She could make a meager amount of money go a long way. She was an accomplished pianist who raised her children around the piano singing hymns and praising the Lord. Many times, she was the church pianist and continued playing piano up until her latter days. She was a great example of being a Pastor’s wife having a willing heart and hands to serve where needed. We will miss her unconditional sacrificial love, listening ear, encouraging words of wisdom and prayers.
Left to cherish their memories are their children; the Rev. Kenneth Pritt Jr. (Rita) of Florida, Vickie Skiles (Kevin) of Virginia, Cindy Bitzer (Rick) of West Virginia, Deanna Ferrell (Fred) of Florida; 10 Grandchildren: Kendra Zurowski (Rev. Matt) of Florida, Kandace Stover (Johnny) of West Virginia, Karel Stover (Jeremy) of Florida, Joshua Skiles (Maria fiancé) of Virginia, Zachary Skiles of Virginia, Doug Bitzer (Courtney) of North Carolina, Lorrie Reustle (Phillip) of South Carolina, Dustin Ferrell (Erin) of Michigan, Jonathan Ferrell (Meredith) of North Carolina, and Halley Ferrell (Chelsie) of Florida; their 17 Great- grandchildren, and their many nieces and nephews.
