Elizabeth J. Pruet

Elizabeth Joiner Pruet (affectionately known as Bibba), 90, of El Dorado died Sept. 2, 2010, at her home. She was born Nov. 9, 1919, in Magnolia, Ark., to Joseph William and Lillian Holcombe Joiner. Elizabeth was a member of the First Baptist Church of El Dorado and the Mary Sunday School Class. Her interests were varied, but in addition to her church, she was particularly involved in the arts, education and health related fields. She was co-chairman of the founding committee for establishing the South Arkansas Center on Aging, served on the advisory board of the Jones Eye Institute in Little Rock and was a lifetime member of the Foundation Fund Board of the University of Arkansas for Medical Science in Little Rock. Elizabeth served on the advisory board of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C., and was a founding member of the Arkansas Chapter of Women in the Arts. In 2002 she was named "Arkansas Woman of the Year." Elizabeth served as a trustee of the National Symphony Orchestra at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and also served on the advisory committee for the National Committee for the Performing Arts at the Kennedy Center. Elizabeth served as a board member at both the South Arkansas Arts Center in El Dorado and the Mid America Arts Alliance in Little Rock. She was a member of the board of trustees of Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia and a founding member of the El Dorado Education Foundation. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Chesley; and her sister, Virginia Hall. She is survived by her brother, Joe Joiner of Seattle, Wash.; two daughters, Paula James and her husband, Randy and Ann Calhoon and her husband, Rick, both of Jackson, Miss.; her grandchildren, Matthew James and his wife, Lindsey, Elizabeth Calhoon Quinn and her husband, Percy, Chesley James and his wife, Hillary, Katie Calhoon, Ben James and Alex Calhoon; her great-grandchildren, Pruet James, Chesley Quinn and William James; numerous nieces and nephews. The family would especially like to thank Dr. Allan Pirnique of the Center on Aging, Bernice Meade and Amy Callaway of Life Touch Hospice, her long-time home help, Loretta Whatley and James Collins, as well as Mary Wheelus who took such loving care of Elizabeth during her illness. She will truly be missed by all. Visitation with the family will be held Tuesday, Sept. 7, in the Reception Hall at First Baptist Church from 12 to 1 p.m. with a memorial service to follow at 1:30, at the church. The family invites friends and family to a reception in the Family Life Center after the service. Memorials may be made to Ouachita Baptist University, 410 Ouachita Street, Box 3774, Arkadelphia, Ark. 71998; South Arkansas Center on Aging, 403 West Oak, El Dorado, Ark. 71730; First Baptist Church of El Dorado, 200 West Main, El Dorado, Ark. 71730; or to any charity of donor's choice. Honorary pallbearers are Ronnie Brooks, Charles Hall, Ben James, Chesley James, Dick James, Matt James, Madison Murphy and Percy Quinn. www.youngsfuneralhome.com.