Birthday: Ella Pruitt 99th Birthday, July 12, 2003, Bronte, Coke County, TX Contributed by Jo Collier 27 August 2003 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************************** All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** The Observer/Enterprise, Robert Lee, Coke County, TX - July 25, 2003 PRUITT About 50 relatives and friends celebrated the 99th birthday of Mrs. Ella Leona Pruitt on Saturday, July 12, 2003, at the Central Baptist Church in Bronte. All four of her children were there: Donald Francis of Fairfield, Noah Jr. and wife Dorthey, Kenneth Dwain and wife, Bernice, and Maxine Labenske and husband Bill, all of Bronte. There was much laughter while visiting and remembering old times. After a wonderful lunch, two piano played by Joanne Kennemer and Maxine Labenske accompanied gospel songs sung in 4-part harmony by folks who had been singing gospel all their lives. It was beautiful and joyful praise to our Lord. Mrs. Ella sang the songs by heart. Mrs. Ella and her 89 year old sister Pearlie Mae Andrews sang a duet. Many of those present remembered when Mrs. Ella and Mrs. Pearlie Mae sang trios with their deceased sister Opal Beaver. Mrs. Opal was represented by her children Mrs. Dean Pope of Bronte, Warren Beaver and wife Betty of Ingram and some of their family: Paul and Karla Barnet of Abilene, Denia Pope McNeel of Temple, and Dennis and Teresa Laughlin and children of Ingram. Many pictures were taken mostly by Dianne Pruitt of Aurora, Colorado, and Bill Labenske. One of the pictures taken was of five generations: Mrs. Ella, Donald Francis, granddaughter Janice McCalman of Cypress, great-granddaughter Lara Shipp, great great grandchildren, Brittany and Michael Shipp of Parker, Colorado. Mrs. Ellas born right here in Coke County a few miles northeast of Bronte. She lived on a farm with her parents J. W. and Esther Herron Warner and her five brothers and sisters. She married Noah Lafayette Pruitt on January 28, 1922, in Ballinger. She held several different jobs and was always a hard worker. Work, church and community activities, quilting at the senior center, playing games, and enjoying her family have kept her young at heart. She has a host of good friends and cherishes her memories despite the worrisome years when all three of her sons were on active duty during WWII and losing her beloved husband in 1983. Guests from out of town not already mentioned were as follows: James and Judie Andrews of Robert Lee, Doris Alexander Conley of San Angelo, Joe McCalman of Cypress, Susanne Pruitt Hooper of Littleton, Colorado;Tricia Andrews Dubois of Austin, Rev. A. J. Kennemer of San Angelo and Robert and Loretha Knight of Abilene. Other guests from Bronte were Joyce and Bruce Pruitt, J. L. Alexander, Charles and Margaret Timmons, Carl and Pauline Blair, Murl Andrews, and Eddie and Earline Alexander. Permission granted by The Observer/Enterprise for publication in the Coke County TXGenWeb Archives.