Walter H. Pruitt

Following his long and courageous battle with a terminal illness, Walter Howard Pruitt of Smyrna, TN; age 74, left his earthly home on August 31st to be with the Great Almighty Healer. Born in Nashville, TN, he lived in Donelson where his family attended the Lebanon Road Church of Christ. After attending the Two Rivers Middle School, his parents, the late Harold Lee Pruitt & Mildred Taylor Pruitt, moved their family to Huntsville, Al. Walter attended Lee High School where he was voted President of the National Honor Society, Yearbook Editor, and ranked academically 5th in a class of 500 plus students.

Graduating with honors, Walter received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Lipscomb University where he also met his caring, attentive, and adored bride of 51 years, Belvia Coates Pruitt. He was always proud to tell any listening ear all about his and Belvia’s three children born in three separate decades: Brent Walton [Danielle], Charles Lee {Rabia} and Carrie Pruitt Walls {Nicholas Walls]. Walter eagerly welcomed the quality time to spend with his four wonderful grandchildren: Kaitlyn, Reagan, Noah Lee & Leila. As an only brother, Walter also felt very loved by his surviving sisters, Carolyn Foote, Linda Emerson [Ray], and Elaine Gilfilen [David]. Family reunions with five nieces, two nephews and several great nieces and nephews were always cherished events.

Walter was filled with laughter as his daughter’s horses often followed close behind him while mowing the fields. He excitedly looked forward to several European travels with his youngest son, many EHCS high school band trips with his daughter, zip lining through the tropical forest in Costa Rica with Belvia, and his Disney World trip, boat rides, and trip to Honduras with his oldest son. His helicopter ride and 200 feet down in a submarine off the coast of Hawaii, Alaskan cruise, and unplanned sightseeing tour in Victoria, Canada all were an exciting adventurous excursion with his fearless wife. Trips to well-known places like the Bahamas, Wyoming, Colorado, Nassa, Chicago, New York, Washington DC, Biltmore House, Noah’s Ark, the World Fare, etc. were also highlights of Walter’s amazing life. However, his participation in the mission work programs in El Salvador was certainly some of his very favorites. In his later years, Walter found contentment in doting on three cats, dressing up like Santa Clause for the grands, riding around the home place in an old golf cart, and simply snuggling with his new puppy while watching MeToo TV or listening to inspirational CD’s.

Walter had an admirable talent in designing house plans and actually accomplished having four of their family homes built in Cheatham, Davidson, and Rutherford County. Even though he had earned his Real Estate license, sold a few houses, he was naturally drawn to the automobile industry. Walter’s career experiences included not only being a very successful salesman at well-known workplaces like the Southwestern Co. but received several prestigious recognitions as Nashville Toyota’s Salesman of the Year Award, the Sales Manager Award of new trucks at Beaman Pontiac, and the Superior Sales Award at Hippodrome Oldsmobile. Because of his impeccable reputation as a top-rated salesman and genuine honesty throughout Nashville area, Walter soon became a leader in Marketing, Regional Management, and later the Vice-President of Nashville Auto Diesel College. Walter’s career included over 30 years at NADC. He chaired the physical expansion of this college campus and developed the Master Institutional Overlay Zoning Plan. While serving on the board of Ezell-Harding Christian School, Walter agreed to an interim President position until the school could fill this important leadership role. Walter’s humble character, genuine desire to follow the footprints of Jesus Christ, and his well-rounded Biblical knowledge was appreciated by all whom he served. He graciously assisted in shepherding the Una Church of Christ’s congregation for over 24 years. Prayerfully, his beloved wife, children, grandchildren, family, and friends can all find comfort in knowing this man always after God’s own heart, is now resting high on that mountain in the Promise Land.

“Celebration of Walter H. Pruitt’s Life”

Tuesday, September, 5th 2023; Service will begin at 12:00 noon – 2:00 pm

at the “Una Church of Christ”; 1917 Old Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37217

“Brief Visitation” following the Celebration of Life Service

Burial at “Woodlawn-Roesch Patton Memorial Garden” just left of Chapel; 660 Thompson Ln.

*In lieu of flowers, donations can made to Vanderbilt’s Memory & Aging Research Project

or to any medical research program of your choice that possibly can improve or prevent serious health issues from critically striking both our present or future generation.