Balious E. Pruitt Sr.

Mr. Balious Edward Pruitt Sr., 68, Tuscumbia, was born July 12, 1942, to the late Arthur W. and Annie M. Pruitt in Colbert County, Ala. He departed this earthly life and entered into eternal rest Saturday morning, March 19, 2011, at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital, in Florence. Balious confessed belief in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age at Mount Olievia Missionary Baptist Church.
Balious's formal education was received at Sterling High School and Tennessee State University (two years). He served two years in the U.S. Army of which one year was in Vietnam. He received an associate's degree in mechanical drafting from Porter School of Engineering Design, Rocky Hill, Conn.
For 21 years, he was employed at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft, a division of United Technology Corp., as a jet engine inspector and a computer programmer of acoustics. He went on to employment for 10 years as a programmer for the town of Windsor, Conn.
Balious was joined in matrimony June 17, 1967, to Mary "Connie Minor" Pruitt. They were happily married for 43-plus years. To this union a daughter and son were born.
In addition to his wife, Connie, he leaves to cherish his memories, daughter, Monica (Tyrone) Thomas, of Clinton, Md.; son, Balious (Nailah) Pruitt Jr., of Cedar Park, Texas; grandchildren, Julian Graham, Tyrell Thomas and Raegan Pruitt; sisters, Mildred (Raymond) Eggleston and Deloris (Nathaniel) Burt, of Muscle Shoals; brother, Edgar Pruitt, of Muscle Shoals; and brother-in-law, Julian (Maurice) Minor, of Tuscumbia. He also leaves uncles, Harry (Sammie) Long, of Muscle Shoals, Houston Cobb, of Leighton, Nathaniel Pruitt, Morgan Hill, Calif., and Willie Ruff, of New Haven, Conn.; aunts, Pearl Nunery, of Sheffield, Mary Ellen (Warner) Blackamore, of Omaha, Neb., Dorothy Sheppard, of Muscle Shoals, Barbara (Arthur Harold) Johnson, of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Yvonne Watts, of New Haven, Conn.; nieces, nephews, a host of cousins and other relatives and friends.
Visitation was Wednesday, March 23, 2011, Thompson and Son Funeral Home, Tuscumbia.
Funeral service was noon Thursday, March 24, 2011, at Mount Olievia Missionary Baptist Church, Muscle Shoals, Ala. The body was placed in the church one hour prior. Burial was in Pearsall Cemetery, Muscle Shoals, Ala.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society or Mount Olievia Missionary Baptist Church.
Thompson and Son Funeral Home, Tuscumbia, directed.