Virginia Viola (Phelps) Pruitt 1916-1986

Virginia Viola Pruitt of Owensville died December 24 in Jefferson City.  She was 69 years old.

Mrs. Pruitt was born January 13,1916 in Osage County, the daughter of the late Albert and Gertha (Shockley) Phelps.  She married John Albert Pruitt December 2, 1939.  He survives.  Other survivors include: one son, James Eugene Pruitt, Fredericktown; two daughters: Phyllis Rae Jett, Bland; and Mary Jane Butler, Belle; 11 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; one brother, Elmer Wayne Phelps, Overland; two sisters: Marie Pruitt, Richland; and Fern Kuhne, Owensville; one uncle, Cecil Shockley, Union.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers: Eugene Franklin Phelps; and Floyd Allen Phelps; and one granddaughter, Mary Leann Wilbanks.

Mrs. Pruitt was a member of the College Hill Baptist Church.

Services were held December 27 at the College Hill Baptist Church.

Burial was in the Bland Union Cemetery.

Floyd Allen Phelps 1919-1985

Floyd Allen Phelps, formerly of Bland, died Thursday morning, May 30, 1985 in a St. Louis Hospital at the age of 66. Floyd was born near Bland on February 18, 1919. He is one of six children born to the late Albert and Gertha Shockley Phelps. On January 13, 1960, he was joined in marriage to Bertie Mae Adams.

Surviving Floyd is one step-son, Flynn Wyatt of Poplar Bluff, and three step-daughters; Patricia Talton of Poplar Bluff, June Sammons of Austin, Texas, and Rebecca Hall of St. Louis. Also surviving is one brother, Elmer Wayne Phelps of Overland, and three sisters; Virginia Pruitt of Owensville; Marie Pruitt of Richland; and Fern Kuhne of Owensville. There are two grandchildren Danny and Denise Dickens, and one great granddaughter, Janie Cartwright.

Floyd is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Bertie who departed this life in October of 1977. Also preceding is one brother Eugene Franklin Phelps.

Floyd served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corp and was awarded four bronze stars for overseas campaign duty. After the war Floyd worked in St. Louis as a welder and was a member of the Boiler Makers Union for 32 years. He retired in 1981.

Floyd was a member and an elder in the Christian Church. He was a former resident of Richland, Missouri.

Services were held Saturday, June 1 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sassman’s Chapel with interment in the Bland Union Cemetery.