Obituary for Jacqueline Denise King Pruett

Jacqueline Denise King Pruett, 68, went home to be with the Lord on September 18, 2023, surrounded by her family. Jackie was born November 6, 1954, in Bogalusa, La. where she had fond memories of growing up near her extended family, close friendships with her neighbors, the Kennedy’s and Kelly’s, on Avenue I, and gathering at friends’ houses to play with all the kids from Pettitt Memorial Baptist Church on Sunday nights after services. Jackie attended college at Northwestern State University (NSU) in Natchitoches, La. where she majored in education and met her future husband, Steve Pruett. They married shortly after graduation in 1976 and welcomed their son Scott in 1983 followed by their daughter Stephanie in 1990.

Jackie went on to receive a Master of Library Science in 1980 and spent many years teaching elementary school in every state she lived in. Her true passion, however, was being an elementary school librarian. Over her years of teaching and nearly a decade as the school librarian at Bellaire Elementary School in Bossier City, La, Jackie touched the lives of countless students, parents, and her community.

She was equally passionate about ministry and service in the churches she attended including Bellaire Baptist Church in Bossier City, La. and First Baptist Church in Starkville, Miss. Jackie was a gifted musician, blessed with a beautiful voice, and she shared this gift with others as a frequent soloist and member in the choir ministry. Jackie also served as the director of the Handbell Ministry at FBC Starkville. Jackie was one of the founding members and longest serving volunteers for the Christian Women’s Job Corps in the Golden Triangle region. As the Coordinator of Christian Friends for this organization, she worked tirelessly to uplift women and help them gain skills to be ready for the job market, and she sang every year at their graduation. Additionally, she and her husband, Steve, led numerous Sunday School classes over the years including a class for young married couples and later a class for international students. Jackie lived a life of service to her Lord, family, friends, church and community. She will be remembered for her generosity, love, humility, and desire to help and minister to others.

Preceding her in death are her parents, Virginia and A.W. King, Jr., and mothers-in-law, Mattie Pruett and Vickie Pruett. Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 47 years, Steve Pruett; son Scott Pruett and his wife Dena and children Henry and James (who knew her affectionately as Gamma); daughter Stephanie Pruett and boyfriend Matt; sister Pam King Polk and husband Terrell; father-in-law Gerald Pruett; niece Lissa Gore and her husband Blake; and niece Courtney Robbins and her husband Jeremy and children Ethan and Lainey.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to all the doctors, nurses, techs, and staff who cared for Jackie at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus, Miss. We are forever grateful for your dedication and service.

Visitation will be at First Baptist Church Starkville on Thursday, September 21, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM followed by a funeral service starting at 10:30 AM. A small graveside service will also be held at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home & Park in Haughton, La. on Saturday, September 23, at 1:00 PM where she will be laid to rest near her mother and father. Donations may be made to the Christian Women’s Job Corps (https://cwjcgtms.org/development/) in memory of Jackie. Your contribution will support their mission and honor her legacy.