Debra Lee Elkins Pruitt, age 69, of Brighton, Tennessee, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at her daughter’s residence in Ashland, Mississippi. In keeping with Debbie’s wishes, she will be cremated.
Born on June 29, 1957, to the late David and Sandra Rushin Elkins, Debbie spent many years working as a waitress, including at the Down Home Cafe. She was the widow of George Randall Pruitt and was a Christian.
Debbie was a fun-loving lady with a personality all her own. She had a way of making people smile and was loved by everyone who knew her. She enjoyed her favorite soap operas, especially General Hospital and All My Children, and could often be found scrolling through Facebook, keeping up with everyone and searching for recipes. She loved finding new things to cook, although she was usually happy to let someone else do the actual cooking! In her younger days, she enjoyed spending time in the kitchen herself.
Debbie was a worrier by nature, always concerned about everybody and everything. Her family meant the world to her, and nothing made her happier than having her children and grandchildren all together. Being homebound, her phone became her window to the world and her way of staying connected with family and friends. It was her social life, and she certainly knew how to keep in touch! Those who loved Debbie will remember her for her big heart, her love of family, her entertaining personality, and all the little things that made her uniquely Debbie. She will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her.
Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Kimberly Brooks (Michael) of Ashland; her son, Nicholas Pruitt (Jennifer) of Brighton, Tennessee; one sister, Elizabeth Gross of Olive Branch; two brothers, David Lee Elkins, Jr. (Bubba) of Victoria, Mississippi, and Kirtis Elkins of Victoria, Mississippi; nine grandchildren, Rayanne Roper, Shana Hopper, Dustin Miller, Tiffany Pruitt, Britney Hall, Kennedy Pruitt, Tristan Brooks, Delainey Fleig, and Fischer Fleig, seven great-grandchildren, Aleigha Hopper, Axton Hopper, Ava Hopper, Elena Miller, Kodi Pinzone, Levi Hall, and Skylar Miller, with another great-grandchild on the way; and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, George Pruitt.
A memorial dinner celebrating Debbie’s life will be held at the Wall Doxey State Park Lodge on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Family and friends are invited to come together to share memories, laughter, and time with one another as they remember Debbie.
Ripley Funeral Home invites you to share memories and condolences with the Pruitt family.
