Helen Cuthrell Pruitt

Helen Elouise Cuthrell Pruitt died on June 4, 2014 at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville.

When her health began to decline, she moved to Maple Leaf Nursing Home in Statesville, where she resided the past 11 years. 

She was born Sept. 11, 1948, daughter of the late John Dallas Cuthrell and Mamie Stimpson Cuthrell. She grew up in Iredell County and was one of the first African-American students to attend Harmony School. At an early age, she joined Piney Grove AME Zion Church in Harmony. As an adult she became an evangelist and served at New Jerusalem Apostolic Church in Mocksville, Mt. Carmel Holiness Church in Houstonville, and New Freedom Holiness in Statesville. She enjoyed singing and playing the piano.

She was preceded in death by her first husband. In 1978 she married Leo Pruitt and to this union two children were born. 

Survivors: her husband of Mocksville; 2 sons, Jerry White of Winston-Salem and Daniel Pruitt of Mocksville; 3 daughters, Betty (Mark) Shaver, Christine (Nathan) Allison and Melinda Pruitt, all of Statesville; 2 brothers, Olander (Vanessa) Cuthrell of Statesville and Jesse Cuthrell of Lexington; 2 sisters, Mamie (Robert) Jones of Mocksville and Molly (Ray) Redmond of Harmony; a special niece, Cassandra Cuthrell; 3 sisters-in-law, Linda Blackwell, Brenda Culthbertson, and Frances Fowler; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

Her funeral service was held on Monday, June 9 at 3 p.m. at Erwin Temple CME Church in Woodleaf. The Rev. Ervin Hannah officiated and burial followed in the church cemetery. The family received friends at the church 30 minutes before the service. 

Online condolences: www.GrahamFuneralHome.net.