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- Nova Norida (Kirby) Pruitt, 95, of McAlester, died Sunday, June 19, 2022 at her residence surrounded by her loved ones.
The family will greet visitors from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 23, 2022 at Bishop Funeral Service and Crematory.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 24, 2022 at the First Baptist Church of McAlester, officiated by Dr. Rusty McMullen, followed by burial at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Brandon Albers, Erin Albers, Keith Kirby, Mark Kirby, Kendall Yancey, Timothy Skinner, and Don Armstrong.
Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Albers, Mark Skinner, B. J. Davis, and Chuck Cox.
Nova Norida Kirby Pruitt was born on February 4, 1927 in Mellette, Oklahoma to Matilda (Brassfield) Kirby and Auda Edgar Kirby. She grew up in Eufaula and graduated from Eufaula High School in 1945.
She married the love of her life, Lester Pruitt, on June 8, 1946. They moved to McAlester and built their home on the corner of Madison and 3rd in 1956 where they raised their two sons and lived the rest of their lives.
She and Lester loved Christmas and everyone in town would drive by at Christmas time to see the elaborate yard decorations created by both Lester and their son, Mike, in the earlier years and Mike and son, Rod, in the later years.
Norida accepted Christ as her Savior in 1997 and was baptized at First Baptist Church in McAlester. She became involved in the clothing ministry and helped distribute clothing to those in need for many years. She had been an active member of her Sunday School class for several years until health issues and the pandemic prevented attending. She made many friends of the ladies in the class and continued to stay in contact with them through phone calls and social media.
Norida was a homemaker for several years. She worked a short time at Seamprufe after moving to McAlester. In 1965, she told her Dad that she thought she would get a job so she could buy some new furniture. She went to work at North American Rockwell; and after several years, and numerous pieces of furniture, retired from there in 1990. After retirement she began a new career in selling antiques. She enjoyed searching for old items and reselling them in her antique booth. She also collected and sold dolls for several years. She gathered quite a collection and all who visited loved going into the Doll House to see her collection. Norida was a homebody. She loved and enjoyed being in, and taking care of, her home. Norida loved the color pink as was displayed throughout her home. She loved her pink kitchen and received many compliments on it.
She and Lester owned a cabin on Lake McAlester for several years, and the whole family enjoyed spending time on the lake skiing during the summer. Many summer holidays were spent there. She also participated in a bowling league for many years becoming quite an accomplished bowler. She won several trophies which are displayed in the trophy case in her den.
Norida was preceded in death by her husband: Lester Pruitt, her parents: Matilda and Auda Kirby, brothers: Odell Kirby and A. J. "Junior" Kirby, and sisters: Oleta Davis and Jean Yancey.
She is survived by her sons: Mike Pruitt and Rod Pruitt of the home, granddaughter: Lori Pruitt of Arizona, and numerous nieces and nephews.
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