Betty Ann Pruitt

Betty Ann Pruitt, age 93, beloved Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma passed away on April 7, 2022. Funeral services will be at Perry Christian Church-Christ, on Monday, April 18, 2022 at 11:00AM with lunch following at the church, 603 E. Front Street, Perry, KS with burial at Oak Ridge Cemetery, 2464 Ferguson Rd, Perry, KS.

Recently, she had spent several days with her family and knew that God would be taking her to Heaven in the coming days. Thanks to the Aldersgate Village staff in Topeka, KS for excellent care in her last days.

Betty was born with her twin brother in Newton, Kansas on August 17, 1928. She and her twin brother were the 5th and 6th of nine children born to Clarence and Bertha Widler (Cedar Point, KS). She was a 1946 graduate of Matfield Green High School.

Betty was raised on the family farm and was a farm girl at heart. She dearly loved her family, sewing, crocheting, reading, traveling, and gardening. Her flower garden was a gift that everyone loved and it attracted butterflies, hummingbirds, cardinals and more. She was an avid shopper and had many collections that grew with each passing year. Her Santa collection numbered in the hundreds at last count and, after family and friends each received a “special Santa,” her remaining collection will be donated to the Derby Historical Society in Derby, KS. She was very competitive and loved playing games. Card games were her favorite and she was ready to play at a moment’s notice. In her later years, she became quite the Yahtzee player. Betty and her care-giver and friend, Nancy, had many spirited games together. She became known as the “Yahtzee Queen” and her favorite phrase she said so coyly, “Oh, I got another Yahtzee!”

She loved attending church, Bible studies, and Christian women’s club. Her daily devotional time was very important to her. In her last days, she praised God throughout the day.

She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Junior Pruitt, who has been gone for 28 years, her grandson, Galen Wayne Pruitt Jr., her parents Clarence/Bertha Widler, her son-in-law David Sheppard, her 7 siblings and their spouses.

She is survived by her sister, Joan Kelsheimer (Cedar Point), her children Galen/Diane Pruitt (Perry), Marla Pruitt-Sheppard (Hillsboro), Maretta/Allen Unruh (Derby), 8 grandchildren, Lisa/Jim Talley (Topeka), Rhiannon Corn (Hays), MacKensie/Daniel Cornell (Mulvane), Brett/Ashley Unruh (Wichita), Molly/Jon Birney (Olathe), Courtney/Tyler Webb (Derby), Bonny/Michael Shelkey (Perry), and Madison Sheppard (Derby) & fiancé Carter Pankratz (Wichita), and 12 great grandchildren, Morgan, Jordan, Mikaela, Annabelle, Theodore, Daylen, Brooks, Chloe, Easton, Coleson, Avery, Finley and a new baby girl in November.

Betty had a unique gift of making each child and grandchild feel special and each one felt like they were her favorite! She had a wonderful, loving relationship with each one. Betty will be remembered fondly as Mom, Grandma, Grandma Betty, Granny, G-Ma, or simply Gram. She was always looking for signs from Heaven so when you see a Cardinal in your yard, just know Angels are near.

In Lieu of Flowers Memorials to: South Rock Christian Church Children’s Department and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.