Patricia Gay Pruett, 76, passed away on September 30, 2026.

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Her life was also deeply rooted in ministry and compassion.

Born on August 12, 1950, Gay was born and raised in Claxton, Georgia. She was raised by her grandparents on a 1,000-acre shared family farm, a place that helped shape her lifelong love of animals and especially her horses. She attended the University of Georgia and graduated in 1971, beginning a life marked by devotion to family, faith, hard work, and service to others.

Following college, Gay began her career as a high school teacher. After the birth of her son Joseph in 1977, she chose to devote herself fully to caring for her children at home. When they reached school age, she returned to teaching at Calvary Christian School at Calvary Baptist Temple in Canton, Georgia, where she taught for three years while her children attended there. She later made the decision to homeschool her children through their graduations, giving them not only an education, but also the steady love, guidance, and presence that defined her life.

Gay's gifts reached far beyond the classroom. She had a true green thumb, ran the family farm in Ball Ground, and worked several other jobs from a front end manager at Kroger to an executive assistant to the president and CEO of ERM Environmental Consulting Agency, and on to bookkeeping and selling at several farmers' markets. Whatever the season of her life, she brought diligence, grace, and a servant’s heart to her work.

Her life was also deeply rooted in ministry and compassion. Gay helped found the House of Hope in Ball Ground and volunteered there for many years. She also carried out a prison ministry in the Cherokee County Women’s Correctional Facility. She attended church regularly and spent her life serving others and seeking to be like Jesus in everything she did. That quiet, faithful example will remain one of the most enduring parts of her legacy.

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her love for her family was woven through every chapter of her life.

Gay is survived by her beloved husband, Pittman Pruett; her sons, Joseph Pruett and Patrick Pruett; her daughter, Rachel Hefner; her sister, Kay DeLoach; and her brother, Jay Braswell. She also leaves behind 11 nephews, 2 nieces, and 7 grandchildren, all of whom were part of the family she cherished so deeply. Her love for her family was woven through every chapter of her life, from the home she nurtured to the many ways she gave of herself for those around her.

She was preceded in death by the grandparents who raised her, Curtis and Pearl Smith, her mother, Laverne Smith, and her father, Louis Syms.

Patricia Gay Pruett will be remembered for her steadfast faith, her generous heart, her love of family, and her lifelong commitment to helping others. Her life was one of purpose and care, and her memory will live on in all who were blessed to know and love her.

A memorial service honoring Gay’s life will be held on Thursday, October 8, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Wilkie Fellowship Hall at Calvary Baptist Church, 137 Hightower Road, Ball Ground, Georgia. All who knew and loved Gay are warmly invited to attend. Casual attire is welcome.

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That quiet, faithful example will remain one of the most enduring parts of her legacy.

In lieu of flowers Pitt would like donations made to Georgia Mountain Hospice. https://www.georgiamountainshospice.org/donate-1/.

Care of the Pruett Family has been entrusted to In Their Honor Funeral and Cremation Providers.