Mary Kay Carr Pruitt, age 78, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, October 21, 2024, in Franklin, Tennessee. She was a loving and caring mother, grandmother, and friend.
Mary Kay was born on September 18, 1946, and had quite the journey. She was found in the backseat of a car in Knoxville, Tennessee in the Fort Sanders neighborhood just north of the University of Tennessee’s campus. Her story made headlines across East TN newspapers as the “Elizabeth Doe” baby, presumably after Princess Elizabeth II – at least that’s what she told her family. She was soon adopted by the late Mattie Mai Carr and Joe Carr of Sevierville, Tennessee.
In recent years, thanks to Ancestry DNA, Mary Kay found her biological family, including her late mother Helen E. Brammer Dean and father Manuel Fernandez. She learned that while she grew up as an only child, she in fact had several siblings including three biological sisters she kept in touch with – Barb, Becky, and Judy. While distance kept them apart and she was not able to meet them in-person, Mary Kay cherished all phone calls, letters, poems, and stories shared between them.
Mary Kay lived a long life full of love and so much laughter. She deeply valued quality time with her family and friends. She loved to travel as often as she could, and for years tried to convince her family why they would enjoy cruises as much as she did. Italy was always one of her favorite trips to reminisce on; and before her Ancestry DNA, she believed she was Italian. Mary Kay was smart, clever, witty, and often full of sass – she passed that trait along to her grandchildren. If she had something to say, she said it and never missed a beat.
Mary Kay enjoyed reading, arts and crafts projects, and watching Hallmark movies. She loved getting her nails done with her granddaughter and being taken to a nice lunch or dinner. She was always one to have her hair styled and saw the same hairdresser regularly for more than 30 years.
Anyone who knew Mary Kay, knew she loved to shop. It was no secret – whether it was makeup, skincare products, food, clothing, furniture – you name it – if she wanted it, she bought it and there was no convincing her otherwise. And while her family was frustrated at times seeing the delivery boxes, they’d laugh and say, “Well, that’s Mary Kay! If she wants it, she gets it.”
Mary Kay graduated from Sevier County High School with Dolly Parton. Yes, the famous Dolly Parton; and that was one of her favorite stories to tell. She later went on to graduate from David Lipscomb College. She was a schoolteacher and later was a manager for Estee Lauder. And somewhere in between, she was also a private investigator – her family thinks she liked that job the best. She was a member of the Church of Christ and had a steadfast love for Jesus and the Church.
She is survived by her daughter Penny (Ronnie) Flippo of Thompson’s Station; grandchildren Kaitlin, Nathan and Emma Flippo; her biological sisters Barbara Dean Boyle, Becky Burns, and Judy Henderson; very special biological nieces and nephews and numerous cousins.
Special thanks to The Goldton at Spring Hill’s nursing and caregiving staff for making Mary Kay feel loved and cared for during her time there. The residents at The Goldton loved her fiercely. Because of Mary Kay’s love for animals, we are asking that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to your local animal shelter.
Family and friends will gather at Spring Hill Memorial Funeral Home Sunday, October 27, 2024 from 12:00PM-2:00PM. Services will follow at 2:00PM with Dan Cottrell officiating. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Burial will take place after the funeral service at Lasting Hope Cemetery 3134 Butler Road Columbia, TN 38401.
