A memorial visitation for Jeff will be held Friday, October 25th, 2024, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Collier-Butler Funeral Home, 824 Rainbow Drive, Gadsden, Alabama 35901, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 pm. A graveside service will immediately follow at Crestwood Cemetery, 2209 East Broad Street, Gadsden, Alabama 35903. The eulogy at Collier-Butler Funeral Home and graveside service at Crestwood Cemetery will be given by Jeff’s pastor, Rob Hall, from The Net Church in Huntsville.
In Birmingham, Alabama, on January 11, 1955, Jeffrey Alan Pruitt was born to Lois and Joe Pruitt. Growing up in Birmingham, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Gadsden, Alabama, Jeff graduated from Gadsden High School in 1973. He then graduated from Jacksonville State University with a degree in Business Administration in 1977. In 1982, Jeff and one other student were the first ones to graduate with a master’s degree in Urban Planning from Auburn University. Jeff practiced his expertise in planning from Anniston, Alabama, to Clearwater, Florida, to Shelby County (Birmingham), Alabama, and Huntsville, Alabama. He retired as the Executive Director of North Alabama Regional Council of Governments in 2020.
From the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Mount Rainier National Park, Jeff loved camping and hiking with family and friends. He often set out on spontaneous adventures into nature, and he never tired of marveling at God’s creation. At the suggestion of his mother, Jeff found a Ballroom Dancing Club in Huntsville and loved it, too. Jeff was a lifelong lover of history, music, and the arts. One of his favorite activities was regularly attending concerts and shows, as well as visiting and supporting art museums both in Huntsville and while traveling. Additionally, Jeff was diligent in studying theology, Christianity, and church history. He was devoted to God’s Word, and he was a constant model of Christ’s love to those around him.
Jeff is survived by the mother of his children, Pamela Pruitt, daughter Bethany Nielcen (Ryan), son Andrew Pruitt (Brittany), sister Joanna Neal, nephew Alan Neal (Beverly), niece Erika Turner (Heath), great-nieces Bailee, Rylee Jo, and Amalene, great-nephews Jackson and Evan, as well as a host of family and friends. He also loved his special friends, grand-dog Khloe, and grand-cats Sansa and Taco.
A special thank you is given to Dr. Banks (neurosurgery) at Huntsville Hospital and Dr. Nabors (neuro oncology) at UAB Kirklin Clinic, dear friend and neighbor Julie, caregivers Priscilla, Cheryl, and Kim, therapists and staff at Lakeshore Rehab Hospital and UAB Spain Rehab Center, and the nurses, therapists, and staff at Enhabit Home Health and Hospice. With all of their tireless and compassionate help, we were able to spend a precious 15 extra months with Jeff.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Jeff was passionate about helping others, and he had a particular desire to help children going though similar circumstances with cancer diagnoses as himself.
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