OBITUARY FOR LOIS CRAFT PRUITT

Lois Ethelyn Craft Pruitt passed away on March 18, 2026, at The Villages of Lake Highlands Memory Care Center in Dallas, Texas.

Lois was born on May 9, 1932, in Dallas, Texas to Johnnie Mae Bramlette and George Otis Craft.  She was the first of five children. 

She attended public schools in the Dallas Independent School District and graduated from Booker T. Washington Technical High School in 1949.  Her pursuit of higher education began at Bishop College in Dallas.  She continued her studies at Prairie View A & M College where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education.

Lois devoted her life to education and community service.  She began her professional career at H.S. Thompson School in Dallas Independent School District.  During her years in  education, she taught reading, special education and English as a Second Language in several Dallas schools.  She spent more than thirty years challenging students to do their best, believing they would rise to high expectations and be rewarded for giving their best efforts.

A woman of excellence and commitment, Lois belonged to professional and community service organizations and was especially proud of her membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.  She was an active member of the Alpha Xi Omega Chapter and became a Silver Star after 25 years of uninterrupted service.  She also served on many committees with her Chapter through the years. She was also a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the National Education Association, The Texas State Teachers Association, and the Classroom Teachers of Dallas.

Faith was a central part of Lois’ life.  She was raised in a home where church attendance was expected each Sunday, and she accepted Christ at a young age.  She joined Bethany Baptist Church in Elm Thicket, and later united with Golden Gate Baptist Church.  At the time of her passing, she was a member of the Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church.  

Lois believed that learning should be shared, and she took pleasure in helping others grow.  She organized and paid for a Girls Trip for twenty-two female family members to strengthen relationships and created lasting memories.  She loved generously and gave of herself to family, friends and community.  When family financial and housing  emergencies arose, Lois was someone who could always be called upon to help.  

Education remained close to her heart throughout her life.  Lois began providing college funding for students in 1959. Last year, she gifted $10K in scholarships.  She also enjoyed hosting family gatherings and celebrations, creating moments of joy and togetherness for those she loved.

Lois had a deep love for travel.  Summers and cruises filled her life with adventure, and she visited European countries, Hawaii, the Bahamas, Jamaica and other Caribbean islands.  She also loved to play bridge and became a highly skilled player, traveling across the United States to participate in bridge tournaments. She belonged to several bridge clubs in Dallas, including L’ Entre Nous Bridge Club and the Diamond Bridge Club. 

Lois will be remembered for her gentleness, thoughtfulness, love for family, generosity and quiet strength.

Lois was preceded in death by her second husband, Willie Sanders; her third husband, Howard Pruitt; her bonus daughter Helevi Pruitt; her sisters Agnes Greene and Anna Harrison.

Lois leaves to cherish her memory: her brother Robert Earl Craft (Marjorie), her sister; Helen Craft, 3 bonus daughters, Yasmine Battle, Brigette Tanner (Theo), and Sharvia Pruitt; bonus sons, willie sanders jr. (Bobbye), Broderick Pruitt, Kyle Pruitt, and Dolan Pruitt, brother-in-law, Charles “Joe” Greene, host of bonus grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, nieces , nephews other relatives and friends.

Donations can be made to Prarie View A&M University - In Honor of Lois E. Craft Pruitt

                                        by mail: P.O. Box 2879

                                                      Prairie View, Texas 77446

or you may click link : https://bit.ly/LoisPruittScholarship

AT THE FAMILIES REQUEST THE COLORS FOR THE SERVICE OF LOIS ETHELYN CRAFT PRUITT ARE SHADES OF PINK AND GREEN (OPTIONAL)