She graduated from Castle High School in 1981, where she established the first girl’s golf team and was a finalist in her senior year. She went on to play golf at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. Missy’s competitive spirit then took her to the “sunshine state” that she loved, where she pursued her love of golf and Florida. She loved returning home to Indiana, where she began her career at Hamilton Clinic with Dr. Tom Hamilton. There she would make lifelong friends on and off the golf course. Her proudest achievement in golf was winning the Evansville Courier and Press Ladies Championship three times. Missy’s athletic talent would shine along with her many artistic passions. Her creativity and love for the kitchen was a joy for all who were fortunate enough to experience it. Whether in the garden or at a drawing table, Missy embraced working with her hands. She greatly enjoyed ceramics and working with her flowers. The rewards of her work showed the beauty within her wonderful and talented spirit. Missy was funny and fun to be with. She had many friends and seldom met a stranger. Her passion and love for family was foremost in her life and she was loved unconditionally. All who were touched by knowing Missy will always remember her with love, as will her family, forever.
Melissa is survived by her son, Benjamin Partridge of Chicago; parents, Marvin and Barbara (Love) Pruett; aunts, Becky Eldridge of Newburgh and Margaret Morrison of Greenwood; cousins, Josh Eldridge of Portland, OR, Jenny Eldridge and Bo Williams of Newburgh, as well as other cousins.
She was preceded in death by grandparents, Guy and Ruth Love and Chester and Delilah Pruett, and cousin, Ricky Nicholson.
A Celebration of Life Service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 1, 2020 at Alexander Newburgh Chapel, 5333 State Road 261. Friends may visit Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until service time.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNewburghChapel.com.
