Lucille Winifred Pruett

Lucille Winifred Pruett was born in the east side of Chicago, Illinois on June 2, 1936, to the late Isaac Robert West and late Bernice Karen (Smith) West. She has a younger Sister, Roberta Bernice West. She is preceded in death by her late Husband, Sidney Dean Pruett and her Son, Derrick Gregory Hale.

Lucille grew up in the Garfield Boulevard area of Chicago. Just east the I-90 & I-94, Dan Ryan Expressway. She attended and graduated from Carter Elementary in 1950. Afterwards, she attended the Jean Baptiste Point du Sable High School, for three (3) years from 1950 to 1953. She loved jumping double-dutch; playing with marbles and hopscotch. She was greatly interested in the arts and took music & piano lessons for many years. She got to be pretty good at playing the piano. She was really good at reading sheet music. She also took dancing and ballet for many years. She took these dancing skills and entertained the Military Troops during World War II at the Canteen Club, which were co-founded by Hollywood actors Bette Davis and John Gilbert, because People of Color were not allowed in the USO Clubs.

Lucille married Floyd Hale in 1953. They had Five (5) Sons. She later became and was a single Mom for about 14 years. She worked various jobs to take care of her Family. She worked as a housekeeper, hospital assistant and other jobs. Mom served as a Cub Scout Den Mother for several years. This where and when she met many of her lifelong Friends and so did we. Mom really loved Amusement Parks. She would take us, when we were kids, to Riverview Park on the “EL” train. She would ride the highest and fastest rollercoasters.

Lucille later met Mr. Sidney Dean Pruett while working on one of her jobs. They were married on November 25, 1967. Together, they welcomed one (1) Son bringing a total of six (6) sons to the family. They remained married for 47-years, until the death of Sidney in 2014. Their favorite song was “You’re The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me”, by Gladys Knight. She was a Great Wife to her husband and a Great Mother to her Sons. Mom loved the Opera. She and her Sister, Roberta, would have Season Tickets and go often. Dad would always take them and pick them up. She and Dad also loved Square Dancing. She, Dad and her Sister would go every week.

Lucille loved the Lord, Jesus and was a member of Ogden Park Methodist Church, and later of St. Brendan and St. Killian Catholic Churches from 1966 thru 2019 in Chicago. She later became a member of St. Leo Parish, in Tacoma, (2019) when she moved there. She went back to school in the 60s and received an Education Certificate from Chicago State College. She worked at St. Brendan Elementary School as a Teachers Helper; then a Substitute Teacher; and using her piano/music skills later became the school’s Music Teacher and the Church Choir Director. She and Dad would volunteer and help out at St. Brendan’s BINGO every Friday. She was also a Sunday School Teacher for many many years. She really loved working with children. She did it until she wasn’t physically able to do it any longer.

Lucille W. Pruett is survived by her Sons: Michael (Freda); Jerome (Cheryl -deceased); Floyd (Robin); Paulette – Daughter-In-Law; Martin (Gina); Sidney Jr. She is also survived by her Sister, Roberta; 20 – Grandchildren; 33 – Great Grandchildren; 11 – Great Great Grandchildren; 2-Sister-In-Laws - Loretta & Sondra; many Cousins, Nieces & Nephews and many more great Friends

May our Mom, Lucille, rest in Peace and watch over us all.