Helen Pruitt

            Mary Helen Pruitt, 82, of Hampstead, died Thursday, October 13, 2016, at home.

            Helen was born March 19, 1934 in Robeson County, NC, daughter of the late Wilbur and Thelma Jackson Rumley.

            Helen was a wonderful wife and mother, married for 46 years to husband, Bill. Her character was shaped by challenging circumstances growing up, yet she emerged from this as the strongest woman any of her family knew, and made the lives of those around her better. Her good works and trusted companionship were a blessing to all who had the privilege of knowing her.

            She is survived by her husband of 46 years, William H. Pruitt; three sons, William Harvey Pruitt (Dana) of Thomasville, NC, Danny Wayne Pruitt, and David Lee Pruitt (Paula) of Chapel Hill, NC; and two grandsons, Zachary David Pruitt and Matthew Benjamin Pruitt.

            A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 16, 2016, at Andrews Hampstead Chapel with Rev. Stephen Dupree officiating. Interment will follow in Sea Lawn Memorial Park.

            The family wishes to extend a very heartfelt “thank you” to Helen’s caregivers, especially Kim Mitchell, RN, Amy Grove, CNA, Debbie Basye, RN, Jennifer Schwarz, Social Worker, and Trista Leach, RN.

            In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made online or by mail to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401, or to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001.