Geraldine P Pruitt

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 24, 2023 at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 3595 Ashley Phosphate Road, North Charleston with Pastor Joshua Ray and Reverend John Moore officiating. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. followed by a celebratory service at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Cemetery in North Charleston.

Geraldine or “Judy” as she was called was born on July 31, 1932 in Swain, Arkansas to the late Aubrey Hall Pierce and Lillie Patton Pierce. She graduated from Deer High School and attended the University of Arkansas. Yearning to start a career to support herself she left college to join the United States Navy. Interestingly, she was recruited into a program for only females who were willing to go to 6 months of business and clerical school to then fill position at the Pentagon. One guideline of the recruitment was that the ladies could not marry while enlisted in the military. Judy fulfilled her 2-year commitment in the Navy and unbeknownst to her at the time filled the role of Naval wife for the rest of her life. Upon coming to Charleston, Judy worked at the old Naval Base Nursery for several years before being asked to establish a daycare center to support the needs of military families in MenRiv Park, Goose Creek, S.C. She proudly opened the MenRiv Park Daycare Center in 1968. Children especially preschoolers gravitated to her and she loved each one. In 1973, Judy and her second husband, Oscar, opened Berkeley Paint Company in Goose Creek. Together they ran the paint store for 34 years until retirement at age 75. At the store, customers were special friends who could come in from the heat, pop-the-top on a cold can of Coke and have a seat at the “trash talking table”; a spot used for networking, how-to-instruction or heaven forbid a little bit of gossip. In 1996, when the economy was affected by the closing of the Charleston Naval Shipyard Judy bought the craft inventory from a closing store and set up a new business inside the paint store. Space had to be made at the “trash-talking” table for customers desiring some free instruction in crocheting, macramé, or a plethora of other crafts.

Judy loved her family, friends, gardening, crafts and the friendships of her church family. No one can remember just how long Judy served as treasurer of the Pepperhill Civic Club and she has been a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church for 52 years teaching Sunday School and Children’s Church, serving in missional activities, on finance, audit and a host of other committees Most importantly Judy loved her Lord and Savior. Not discounting any of the wonderful friend's she had over her 90 years, it could truly be said that Jesus Christ was her best friend. She had a strong faith and she was a prayer warrior. Her family always knew she loved and was praying for them. The door to her home was always open and many called her mom. She has now seen the glory of her Lord; and so great is her reward that nothing in this world compares. We will miss her so much.

Judy is survived by her husband, Oscar of the home; two daughters, Judy B. Dillow (Kim) of North Charleston and Linda P. Lewis (Julius) of Goose Creek; grandson, Justin P. Dillow (Jessica) of North Charleston; two sisters, Onita Meadows of Nixa, MO and Lura Jean Brasel (Dennis) of Jasper, AR; sister-in-law, Hazel Pierce of Springdale, AR; nieces, Tina P. Reinert (Mark) of Springdale, AR; Leslie Meadows of Springfield, MO, Angie P. Scherffius (Tyler) of Buena Vista, CO, Donna Faye Pierce of Newark, Ohio; nephews, Paul Brasel (Shelly) of Coal Hill, AR and Jamie Pierce of Decatur, IL; and 8 great grand nephews and nieces She was preceded in death by her stepdaughter, Tonia P. Lovell; her parents; and three brothers, Harold C. Pierce, James H. Pierce and Johnny L. Pierce. .

Memorials may be made to Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) Foundation Vision Fund, 100 Missionary Ridge, Birmingham, AL 35242 or flowers sent to Carolina Funeral Home, 7113 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, S.C. 29406. The family would also like to thank the providers from South Carolina House Calls and Crescent Hospice for their kindness, caring and love.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.carolinamemorial.com for the Pruitt family.