Freddie Ray Pruitt

Freddie was born on January 9th, 1940 in Crab Orchard, Kentucky. He was the last child of farmers, Marion and Rhoda (Wallin) Pruitt. He graduated from Crab Orchard High School in 1958, where he met his wife of 64 years, Jennie S. Pruitt. After working at Goodall in Danville, Kentucky, he moved to Ohio, eventually settling in Fairfield Township in the early ‘70s. In the fall of 2022, he moved to The Enclave Senior Living Facility in Springboro to help care for his wife, who had Parkinson’s.

A gifted sewer known for his exceptional work ethic and superior attendance, Freddie was employed by the Stearns and Foster Mattress Company in Lockland for over 30 years as a supervisor and mattress maker. Well into his 60s, Freddie continued his career at Square D Company, and then Pacific Manufacturing in Fairfield, where he was once again praised for his dedication and exceptional attendance. He also attended church for many years, first at St. Clair Baptist in Hamilton, then Tri-County Baptist in West Chester.

Freddie had many talents, including landscaping, and took pride in his pristine yard filled with flowers and shrubs. Blessed with a natural ear for music, Freddie effortlessly played many instruments, including the piano, harmonica, guitar, and banjo. Voted “most shy” in high school, Freddie later became extroverted and was well-liked for his giving nature, friendly demeanor, and sharp sense of humor. In addition to music, Freddie loved woodworking, making grandfather clocks from scratch.

Freddie loved his only daughter, Diana, son-in-law, Jerry, three grandchildren, and gave selflessly to his wife, Jennie, as her health failed. He moved to assisted living for extra help, where he instructed nurses and aids, guiding her health plan. More concerned for her health than his own, Freddie was known as the most devoted husband in the facility and served as an example of what a marriage partner should be, even as his own health declined with a devastating cancer diagnosis.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Jennie S. Pruitt; parents, Marion and Rhoda (Wallin) Pruitt; brothers, Claude and Eugene (Buddy) Pruitt; and sisters, Laura Hopkins, Martha Curtsinger, and Mary Lay.

He is survived by his daughter, Diana (Jerry) Caldwell; grandchildren, Catherine (Clément) Deléaval, Anna Caldwell, and David Caldwell; great grandson, Timothée Deléaval, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

A special thank you to the staff at Day City Hospice of Dayton for their compassionate and attentive care.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 from 10:00 am until Services at 11:00 am at the Rose Hill Funeral Home, 2565 Princeton Road, Hamilton, Ohio 45011. Rev. Paul Bilunka, officiating.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.rosehillfunerals.com for the Pruitt family.