Janean Adair Pruitt Jones, affectionately called Nena, went home to be with her Lord and Savior December 2, 2021, at North Mississippi Medical Center-Iuka, after a lengthy illness. Janean was born August 14, 1945, to Perry Joe and Janice McDermott Pruitt in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Janean married Iuka native, Charles Jones, on March 5, 1965. She was of the Baptist faith and a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. While they were living in Memphis, Janean began her career in medical records and insurance for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Tennessee. She retired in 1998 after working for the Iuka Clinic and the Segars Clinic. Janean was blessed to be able to pursue her God-given artistic talents and passions over the years. A completely self-taught artist, she enjoyed teaching art to her pupils and commissioning select artwork, particularly watercolor and oil portraits. Janean’s intense love of history, art and community collided in her now renowned montage depiction of “Chief luka – Mineral Springs Legend.” The original oil painting would hang on displayed for many years in the Iuka City Hall lobby. Her “Chief luka – Mineral Springs Legend” limited edition and numbered reproduction prints continue to be on display in countless homes, businesses and classrooms both near and far. Some of her career highlights include having her collection on exhibit at the Iuka Public Library and being juried into The Commercial Appeal Art Exhibition. She leaves behind her beloved family including her husband of 56 years, Charles F. Jones, Sr., of Iuka, her daughter, Jan Young of Corinth, and her son, Chuck Jones (Tracie) of luka; grandchildren Miles Young, Bailee Jones Pruitt (Jake) and Chase Jones, great granddaughter, Avery Kate Pruitt and a host of special cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her infant son, Charles Joseph Jones, her parents, Perry Joe and Janice McDermott Pruitt, her grandparents, Oscar C. and Carlyn Williams Pruitt, (Iuka) and Ivanhoe Dom and Blanche Harrington McDermott (Blytheville, AR), brother, Michael Pruitt and sister, Beth Pruitt Deatherage. Cutshall Funeral Home of Iuka, MS is entrusted with arrangements. To honor her memory, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Alzheimer’s Association or the Tishomingo County Archives & History Museum. Cutshall Funeral Home of Iuka, MS is entrusted with the arrangements. Complete arrangements and service time will be announced at a later date.
