On June 20, 2024, Doris Marilyn Smith Pruitt of Bowling Green, KY peacefully passed from this life into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for all eternity. She was 87 years old. If you knew her, you can certainly imagine her smile, excitement, and passion as she joined her loved ones that have gone before, including her husband of 38 years, James Robert Pruitt, and her parents Milza Guy and Autie Pearl Smith.

Doris, a.k.a "Mrs. Good Food", a.k.a "Gram", was born on March 4,1937, in Alvaton, KY. She grew up at the "Poe Place" and made many a walk to and from Boyce School. She was a proud Bluebird Cheerleader at Alvaton High School before going on to study and top more hills at Western Kentucky University (WKU). A true life-long learner, she acquired her BS (1959) & MS (1976) in Home Economics and received her Rank 1 Dietetics Certification in 1986. Doris loved both schools so much that she regularly attended the annual Class Reunions and Homecomings for as many years as was physically possible. In 2018, Doris joined the 1955 Hall of Distinguished Alumni of Alvaton High School.

In 1959, Doris married the love of her life, Bob Pruitt, from Plano, and later had 4 kids – Barry, Kerry, Bobette Franklin, and Chad Pruitt.  While raising their kids up in the Christian faith with never-ending love, endless sacrifice, and extreme generosity, she managed to also thrive as a loving spouse, daughter, sister, mother, friend, servant, and professional.

Her resume includes roles as Warren Rural Electric Home Service Advisor, Warren County High School Home Economics Teacher, and Warren County Public Schools Food Service Director (1978-2003).  In 1964, she appropriately appeared on a weekly television program "It's a Woman's World". While too long to list them all, Doris's leadership, honors, awards, and achievements spanned the Kentucky and National Food Service Industry for decades. She loved serving kids good and nutritious food but wasn't satisfied unless it included some extra element of creativity and excellence.

From 4-H, to Eastern Star, to Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority, to her church, Doris was actively engaged and leading her community for the better.  One of her most fulfilling accomplishments was starting a women's mentoring group called "The Lighthouse Ladies" …a women's bible study.  Is it any surprise that she was named "Women on the Move" Wise Woman of the Year in 2001-2002.

In retirement, Doris continued to thrive with travels around the USA and abroad, good home cooking, and family get togethers filled with laughter, stories and music. In between trips, she hosted a weeklong "Gram Camp" for all her grandchildren where they learned about manners, faith, family, and farm living.  "Where there's a will, there's a way," she would often say.  She took great comfort knowing that all of her kids and grandkids were following in her legacy of faith in the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Jesus Christ.

As she always prayed we would, Doris' family members are all still very close in love and unity.  This includes her two siblings Gary Smith (Sandra) and Ophelia Smith Forshee (Kenneth), her two daughters-in-law Cristi (Barry) and Christy (Chad) and her son-in-law Steve (Bobette), her six grandchildren Corey Pruitt (Lindsey), Brandon Pruitt (Ellen), Noah Franklin, Collin Pruitt, Caylyn Pruitt, and Henry Pruitt, and her great-grandson Riley Pruitt.

Doris never met a stranger, so we hope to see you at her visitation service on Monday, June 24, between 4-8:00 PM at Johnson Vaughn Phelps Funeral Home. Visitation will continue on Tuesday, June 25, from 9-10:00 AM followed immediately by her funeral.  Her burial will be next to her husband, Bob, at Mt. Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, she requested a donation in her honor be made to the Warren County 4-H Camp Scholarship Fund, WKU Home Economics Dept Scholarship Fund, Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church Lighthouse Ladies Ministry Fund, or Hospice of SOKY.