Obituaries

Sammie Pruitt, Sr. was born August 18, 1948 to the late Charlie and Minnie Bell Pruitt, Sr. in Helena, Arkansas.  Surrounded by his devoted and loving family, Sammie transitioned from this earthly life and received his heavenly wings March 17, 2021.

At an early age, Sammie accepted Christ as his personal Savior at Springlake Missionary Baptist Church, Lexa Arkansas.

Sammie was a hard worker; he explored many career opportunities. He worked for the Arkansas Department of Transportation in which he gained extensive training in operating heavy-duty equipment. As a farmer, he has successfully contributed to the production of farmed goods throughout. He also was a skilled automobile – tractor mechanic, repairing whatever the problem may have been right there on the spot. In his later years, he worked for various cemeteries as the “Backhoe Man.” One might say, “he was a jack of many trades.”

Sammie loved horses. For many years he rode his horse and gathered other horse riders to participate in many of the Helena – West Helena and surrounding area Christmas Parades. When asked he would take the horses to family reunions, May Days at the various schools, or anywhere children and adults could experience his passion of horses.

Sammie was small in stature, but he had a big heart. He often helped his family and neighbors. He would give vegetables to those who he thought could use them and lent a hand when needed. He touched the lives of many in some type of way. He will truly be missed by those who loved him.

Sammie is preceded in death by his parents; Charlie and Minnie Bell Pruitt, Sr., a brother; Cecil Woodman, sisters; Mattie Brown, Minnie Bell Redmon, Gracie Speed, a son; Sammie Pruitt, Jr., and a grandson; Daniel Hood.

Sammie leaves to cherish his memories a fiancé; Jacquline Beanland of Little Rock AR, children; Michael (Monique) Pruitt, Sr. of West Helena AR, Sammuel Pruitt, Sr. of Atlanta GA, Paula (Michael) Harris of Memphis TN, Annette (Will) Subber of Arlington TX, Dwight Swanigan, Jr. of Little Rock AR, Cammeal Swanigan of Memphis TN, Toney Braggs of Little Rock AR, a special nephew that he raised as his own; Arthello Davis of Little Rock AR, two brothers; Charlie (Robin) Pruitt, Jr., Lloyd (Tammy) Pruitt, Sr. both of St. Louis MO, two sisters; Lydia Pruitt, Shirley Burnett both of West Helena AR, a sister-in-law; Mammie Woodman of Bloomfield MI, two aunts; Rebecca Gatlin of Lexa AR, Dorothy Gatlin of California, thirty grandchildren, thirty-six great grandchildren, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.