Rita Dunham Pruett

Rita Dunham Pruett, 71, of the Fall Creek Falls Community in Pikeville, Van Buren County, Tennessee, passed away Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at her home.

She was born May 23, 1948 at the Dr. James Ross House in Pikeville, Tennessee to Raymond and Catherine Evans Dunham, who preceded her in death, along with her twin brother Gary Ray Dunham.

Mrs. Pruett is survived by her beloved only child, Heather Foley; nephews, Jason Dunham (Lori), their children, Brooke and Reagan, Gary Ethan Dunham (Mindy), and their son Blake along with twins Sebastian and Sidney Dunham and their mother, Jackey Sherrer; special aunt, Ruby Dunham Bohannon; and special cousins/sisters, Dianne Evans and Susan Dunham.

Mrs. Pruett was a member of Faith Tabernacle Baptist Church in Dunlap. She was a retired Independent Insurance Agent, and Pikeville branch manager of Associated General Insurance Agency of Chattanooga, Pikeville branch office, and co-owner and operator of the Fall Creek Falls Bed & Breakfast Inn.

Mrs. Pruett devoted many years to community services as past chairman of both the greater Van Buren/Spencer Chamber of Commerce and the Pikeville-Bledsoe County Chamber of Commerce. She was past director representing Van Buren County in the Upper Cumberland Tourism Association, Professional Association of InnKeepers International, Tennessee Bed & Breakfast Association, Insurance Women of Chattanooga, and Tennessee Association of Independent Insurors, a charter member and first chairman of the Fall Creek Falls Community Action Group.

Mrs. Pruett loved to write and had a weekly column “Something Old, Something New” in the Mountain View newspaper for many years.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Cancer Society for research for a cure, or your favorite charity in her honor.

Her information can be found and online condolences may be made at: www.laynefuneralhome.com.

Layne Funeral Home and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.