Gene Pruitt

Gene Pruitt, age 68, of Carlsbad, New Mexico, formerly of Habersham County, Georgia, passed away on Monday, July 31, 2017, at his home.

Gene Pruitt lived most of his life in Chicago, Illinois. In the 10th grade, he began to financially help his mom with his younger siblings. He had a son, Hilliard Geno Pruitt. He moved to Carlsbad and fell in love with the open country side and hot weather. Gene worked in the oil fields since the 70's.  He worked for L&E for over 20 years and retired in 2015.
He started driving trucks and eventually became pusher. He loved his job and coworkers. They had become his second family.  Gene worked with Lisa Rice and Benji Trujillo for close to 25 years and considered them second siblings.  He met the love of his life, Joyce Rhoades in 2002, and they were married on July 31, 2004.  Gene inherited three children and five grandchildren and one great granddaughter.  He was the best Dad and Papa anyone could ask for. He was also a special Uncle Gene to his great nephew, Aiden Love.  Gene was a talented artist, and many people have a drawing by Gene of their treasured car.  He loved drawing for people.  He was restoring a 1967 Chevy pickup when he passed.  He was most regretful for not being able to finish it.

Gene was liked by everyone who met him.  He was the most gentle, loving man with a heart of gold.  He treated everyone with respect, compassion, and kindness.  He was well known for his jokes that became stories. He always had a smile on his face and loved to make people laugh.  As a husband he was the most tender, loving husband and loved his wife Joyce with all his heart.  They spent 15 beautiful years together. In the end, he held on to the day of their 13th wedding anniversary.  Gene fought cancer for five long years with grace, bravery and thankfulness for those who cared for him while ill.  

He was preceded in death by his father; son, Gregory Scott Pruitt; brother, Eddie Pruitt and brother-in-law, Ronnie Rhoades.  He will be missed by everyone who knew him.  He will be racing cars and restoring trucks in heaven. 

Survivors are his wife, Joyce Pruitt of Carlsbad, NM; mother, Fannie Pruitt of Clarksville, Georgia; children: Hilliard Gene Pruitt, II of Palm Springs, California, Suzanne Garza and husband, Orlando of Carlsbad, NM, Jon Killgore of Carlsbad, NM and Deke Killgore of Carlsbad, NM; grandchildren: Morgan Killgore, Luke Garza, Alex Killgore, Jackson Killgore and Beau Killgore; great-granddaughter, Mackinzee Killgore; siblings: Hilda Pruitt, Barbara Foster and husband, Dale, Rick Pruitt, Gale Weaver and husband, Bobby; brother-in-law, Robert Rhoades and wife, Pamela; sisters-in-law: Jennette Schoenherr and husband, Greg, Kathy Hernandez and Jeanne Rhoades and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, August 19, 2017, at Level Grove Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:30 am on Saturday, August 19, 2017, prior to the service at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, Georgia.

Those wishing to express online condolences to the family may do so by visiting www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, South Chapel, 1370 Industrial Boulevard, Baldwin, Georgia.