Barry Lee Pruitt

Longtime Jonesboro High School basketball Coach Barry Lee Pruitt, 72, died at his home in Jonesboro on Sunday, February 12, 2017, following a valiant fight against a devastating illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Marilee Taylor Pruitt; his grandparents, Earl and Cecil Taylor and Willis and Dona Pruitt; and an infant sister, Rhonda Renee Pruitt. He is survived by his wife of forty years, Billie S. Pruitt; a daughter and son-in-law, Casey and Rob Higgins of Tampa, Florida; three sons, Michael Pruitt and his wife, Shannan, of Jonesboro; Matt Pruitt of Jonesboro; and Taylor Pruitt of Little Rock, Arkansas. He leaves five grandchildren, Morgan Pruitt of Jonesboro; Shelby Pruitt of Charleston, South Carolina; Laney and Landon Higgins of Tampa, Florida; and Sydney Pruitt of Paragould, Arkansas. Also mourning his passing are his sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Dr. Ray Hall; his uncle, Dr. Trice Taylor; his nieces, Dr. Heather Coleman and her husband, Eric; and Dr. Holly Hall all of Jonesboro; and a nephew, Colin Hall of Little Rock. He will be missed by special sisters-in-law, Sylvia Harrington of Clarksdale, Mississippi, and Patricia Jacowski of Wichita, Kansas. He was a graduate of the Jonesboro High School Class of 1962 and received a bachelor's and a master's degree plus thirty hours at Arkansas State University. He completed his 40-year coaching career in 2009 with 743 wins, which included two state championship titles, nine conference titles, and eight Northeast Arkansas Invitational titles. In 2010 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Downtown Tip-Off Club in North Little Rock for his contributions to high school basketball in Arkansas. He was named to the Arkansas High School Coaches Association's Hall of Fame in 2012. Barry was a member of Southwest Church of Christ, the Jonesboro Chapter of SAR, and the Beechcreek Hunting Club. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 16, 2017, at Southwest Church of Christ with Dr. Jimmy Adcox officiating. Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery. The visitation will be held prior to the service at 12 noon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Jonesboro High School's Athletic Department for the Barry Pruitt Memorial at 2506 Southwest Square, Jonesboro, Ark. 72401. For additional information or to sign the guest registry, please visit: www.emersonfuneralhome.com.