Song
Obituary
I would like to thank all of you on behalf of Allie’s family for being here today, I know that it means a lot to them. We’re here today to remember Allie’s life, and how his life touched each one of use that are here today. Some of you knew Allie for a long time. Some of you grew up with him or went to the Cabin on Otter Creek with his him and his kids. Others of us may just met him or are friends with his children. But his life has still touched ours.
I love pictures like the ones that are here today. I love them because they tell a story; the story of Allie Pruitt’s life. Pictures of his legacy his children, the family get-to- gathers. Pictures of the birth of children and marriages of children. Pictures of Children that served this country in the armed services…Pictures that remind us of Allie’s life and the life of his children. This is a time when we need to gather around one another and show support for one another.
Let’s Pray
Let me read for you out of the Psalms this morning Psalms 23
The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters,
He restores my soul;
He leads me in paths of righteousness
For his name sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Dr. James Dobson said one time, “There are only three things that matter in life, The people you Love… The people that Love you… And where your going when you die.”
As I listened to each one of his children and some friends talk of Allie’s life I learned that Allie was a man that believed that if you were going to get anything in life you were going to have to work for it. I believe that one legacy that he left to his children was a good work ethic. Allie never missed work, For 31 years he would leave Fieldon and drive with a couple of other men to Owens-Illinois, first in Alton then Later in Godfrey.
Allie also took time to be with his family and friends. He spent most of his time off with his family and his friends at the cabin on Otter Creek. It was a time for fun and family. A time for doing the things that brought true joy to his life. Playing Cards with family, Fishing along the banks of the river, Pitching horseshoes, and cooking Fish for all the people that were there.
Allie enjoyed the simpler things in life, that is probable why the cabin was such an important thing in his life. It allowed him to give to his children something that he never got… Time with his parents. Allie’s parents died while he was young and I think he wanted to give to his children what he never had.
Family was important, Friends were important and so was the community. Allie served for a while and the mayor of Fieldon. He became a part of the town and community that he served. His children also learned this trait from him. His boys served in the Army and the Navy, They built homes in Fieldon, Ran Business. Two of his girl still live in the town and are still active in it. Being a part of the community not just living in it was important to Allie and it is important to his children.
As I was listening to the Allie’s kids talk yesterday at Cathy’ house my mind drifted back to the time of the early church. Jesus had died on a cross and was buried in a tomb just as he said he would be. A few days later some women went to check on the body and when they got there Jesus was not there and an angle told them that he had risen. She ran back gathered all the people together and Jesus showed up. He broke bread and ate with them and before two long he assented up into heaven. But before he left them he told them to go to Jerusalem and wait because he was going to send a comforter for them.
They took off and went to the Jerusalem and stayed in a house praying and waiting for the Holy Spirit to come. Then one day it did and everyone was filled with the holy spirit and was rejoicing.
Which leads me to Act 2:44-46 – Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possesions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.
As I listened to the brothers and sisters tell me of the big gardens and the 500 chickens and the pig roasts, and the days that the ladies would come over to put together puzzles, snap beans, can all the vegetables, cook the fish. My mind went back to the early church. You see they were all working together. They were all doing their part for the family. Each one of the kids worked from young age to help out the family.
I honestly believe that if Allie were here with us today, he would tell each one of you kids to keep the family together. Be there for one another just as you have done in the past. Don’t get so caught up in life that you don’t take time to enjoy it.
Something else happened to the people that were their in the early days of the church. There were thousands that accepted Jesus as their Savior and went out all over the world. These new believer touched many more lives and it continues even today. It is the legacy of the church
Allie and Goldie’s life together started young and has touched many lives. There children have been all over the world they have met and became a part of many people lives. Fred is touching lives in Godfrey, Jr. in touching lives in Rutland, Donald is touching live in Colorado, Micheal in touching lives in Florida, Pat is touching lives in Texas, Vicky is touching live in Pocohontas, and Mel and Kathy are touching lives in Fieldon… It is the legacy of Allie and Goldie Pruitt. You see our children are our legacy.
Stay strong and stay close. Your dad and mom loved each one of you and they did the best that they could in raising you and now the torch is being passed on to you to carry. Run the race with endurance and respect. Leave a great legacy for your children.
I would like to close with one last Psalm, Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear
Even though the earth be removed
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea
Though its water roar and be troubled
Though the mountains shake with its swelling
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God
God is in the mist of her, she shall not be moved.
Maybe Allie’s up their fishing right now.
Lets Pray
