Funeral services for Pruitt Speed Calvert will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 7th, at First Baptist Church, with Rev. Darwin Jordan officiating. Interment will be in Masonic Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday from 4:00 P.M. until 6:30 P.M. at Porter Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church – North American Missions Fund, or French Camp Academy.
Mr. Calvert was born November 18th, 1929, in Kemper County, Mississippi. His parents were Daniel Henry Calvert and Lena Speed Calvert. When he was 4 years old, his sister and brother-in-law, Sibyl and Paul Redd brought him to Louisville to live with them after his mother died from an accident. Starting at age 12 he worked part time at W.E. Walker’s 5 and 10 cent store for his brother-in-law. He graduated from Louisville High School in 1948. He was sports photographer in high school. He graduated from East Central Junior College in 1950, where he enjoyed being sports editor for the annual and numerous publications. He married Jean Linch in 1950. He has worked at Winston Furniture Company for 66 years, except for a short time when he and Jean owned a photographic studio. He also owned a furniture store in Philadelphia, MS. He has been blessed to have provided furniture for friends and many wonderful customers. In 1974, Pruitt and Jean began traveling with ‘Aunt Blabby’, a program where Jean dressed him as a lovable old lady. They presented the program for 38 years.
Pruitt was honored to be chosen Winston County Man of the Year in 1991. He and Jean were given the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010 by the Chamber of Commerce. He served on the Louisville Board of Aldermen for 16 years, and was Mayor Pro tem for 8 years. Pruitt was president of the Louisville Rotary Club, with 20 years perfect attendance. He was chosen to be District Governor in 1996-1997 for Rotary District 6820. He also served as president of Red Hills Art Association, president of Louisville Jr. Chamber of Commerce, and he was secretary of Louisville Businessmen’s Club. He is a life time deacon at First Baptist Church of Louisville, where he has served as director of the youth department, Adult 5 department, and outreach leader for Adult 7 Sunday School.
Preceding him in death were his parents; one sister, Sibyl Redd; brother-in-law, Paul Redd; brothers, Bob Calvert and Jim Calvert; and sister-in-law, Winnie Calvert. Pruitt is survived by his loving wife Jean; 2 children, Kaye Jordan (Darwin), and Speedy Calvert (Jamie); 5 grandchildren, Chase Jordan (Mellie), Anna Kate Pankey (Bryson), John Darwin Jordan, Nathan Calvert, and Lucas Calvert; 5 great grandchildren, Lyla Pankey, Hudson Pankey, Harper Jordan, Easton Jordan, and Cohen Jordan; 2 sisters-in-law, Margaret Linch and Mildred Calvert; nieces, Patty Calvert and Kim McMinn; and nephews, Mike Calvert and David Calvert. Pruitt loved the Lord, Louisville, and laughter, and he was a devoted family man and prayer warrior.
