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ABBEVILLE — A Homegoing service for Rev. James Paul Pruitt, age 90, will be held at 2 p.m. at Abbeville Pentecostal Church on Saturday, February 15, 2025 with Pastor Cody Bryant, Rev. Ricki Pavlu, and Rev. Wesley Jackson officiating.  Interment will be at the Holder Cemetery in Bienville, La on Sunday February 16, 2025 at 2 p.m. under the direction of Frioux-David Funeral Home.
Visitation will be held at Abbeville Pentecostal Church on Saturday, February 15, 2025 beginning at 12 p.m. until the time of the services.
Reverend Pruitt was born in Tyler, Texas in 1935.  When he left home as a young teen, he travelled the United States by train working as a rider and hand for the circus. On his journeys he met his Betty Jo and swept her off her feet, quite literally, to hear the story told.  They married in 1951 and began their 71 years together.  Rev. Pruitt’s pastoral work began with the United Pentecostal Church in 1967 in Arcadia, La and eventually led he and Betty to Abbeville where they retired in 2007. 
He made sure there was always room at his house for a visit, a meal, and a late night game around the kitchen table or perhaps a new paperback western to share.  There are many people who will remember a time that he invited them to dinner, shared a bag of satsumas or fresh tomatoes from his garden, or offered a prayer in their time of need.  From the carpenter in overalls, the gardener with green thumbs, the man on horseback chasing elk in Colorado, to the Pastor with 50 years with the United Pentecostal Church, he was consistent in his message, his faith, and his love for his family and congregation.
Somewhere tonight, there’s a glass of tea being filled by Betty Jo and possibly a crawfish boil under his direction.
He is survived by a son, Rev. Tex Pruitt (Medina); three daughters, Jamie North, Dr. Juanita Lockett (Jerome), and Zula Odell (Terry); 12 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and 5 (soon to be 6) great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jo, a daughter, Pamela Allen; and a son in law Rev. Philip North. 
Serving as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be Jeffery Parker, James Pruitt Jr, Philip North, Keith Clark III, Clayton Pruitt, Chad Pruitt, Jonathan North, David Austin, Carlos Pruitt, Eraitt Austin II, Twila Alford, Rebekah Craft, and Ashley Hanks. 
Family and friends may sign the guest register book and/or send condolences at www.davidfuneralhome.org.
Frioux-David Funeral Home of Abbeville at 2600 Charity St. (337)893-3777 will be handling the arrangements.

On Thursday, Feb. 6,  the Gueydan Chamber of Commerce Holiday Decorating Committee proudly unveiled a new community landmark: an oversized “Welcome to Gueydan Chair.” 
Cheyenne Guidry, one of the committee members, said this vibrant addition to the community, now proudly displayed at the Museum and Cultural Arts Society grounds thanks to its members, serves as a welcoming landmark for locals and visitors passing through the town. The chair was built by Ryan LaComb, painted by Dotty Lacomb, Kendra LaComb and Emily LaComb, and Cheyenne Guidry did the artwork.
The Decorating Committee works year-round to decorate the town for holidays and organize events like Christmas in the Park, the Thanksgiving Community Meal, and other gatherings that bring our town together. Each year, we try to bring something new and special to the town, and the “Welcome to Gueydan” chair became the focal point of our efforts, in hopes that it would become a fun and inviting symbol of this town’s hospitality. 
The Members of the Gueydan Chamber of Commerce Holiday Decorating Committee:
• Dotty Lacomb 
• Cheyenne Guidry 
• Nancy Boudreaux 
• Celena Breaux 
• Kelly Guillory 
• Paula Deperrodil
• Kendra Lacomb 
• Candace Istre 
• Misty Matthews 
• Emily LaComb
“As a small town, we face challenges,” Guidry said, “but our committee’s goal is to keep a light shining in our little town and offer a warm welcome to all who pass through.” 
Through the decorations and events, Guidry said the committee hopes to help make Gueydan an inviting place for visitors and encourage them to stop and take in the beauty of our town and now even stop for a picture on our new chair. 
“We do various fundraising during the year to support our initiatives and ensure the town looks festive for residents and anyone passing through,” Guidry said. “We as a committee would like to express our deep gratitude to the residents of Gueydan for their unwavering support, both in the past and moving forward. We love this town and its people; we are truly thankful for this wonderful community and all of its people. We are excited to keep making Gueydan a place everyone can be proud of. 
“We hope the “Welcome to Gueydan Chair” will become a must-see spot for residents and those passing through, offering a fun photo opportunity and will become a beloved fixture in our community.”