Beth Ann (La Rue) Pruitt
March 13, 1963 ~ May 8, 2022
Beth Ann (La Rue) Pruitt, 59, died at 4:06 p.m. Sunday, May 8, 2022, at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Beth was surrounded by her family and hospital staff at the time of her death.
Beth Ann La Rue was born March 13, 1963, at the Neosho Memorial Hospital in Chanute, Kansas. She was the fourth child and only daughter of Dr. Billy Joe and Barbara Ann (Ebert) La Rue. Beth was reared in Chanute and attended James B. Hutton Grade School, Royster Junior High School, and Chanute Senior High School, graduating in 1981. Beth was a member of the volleyball and basketball squads at RJHS, and played the flute, piccolo, and saxophone in the RJHS and CHS bands.
Beth attended Neosho County Community College, Chanute, graduating with an Associate of Arts degree in 1983. Beth then attended Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas, graduating in 1985 with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Chemistry. Beth attended one semester of graduate school at Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, and was then hired by Midwest Research Institute in Kansas City, Missouri. Beth was later hired by Cadence Chemical Resources in Chanute, and worked as a chemist at its facility at the Ash Grove Cement Plant in Chanute.
While working for Cadence, Beth met Carl Pruitt, who was working on a crew performing test burns at Ash Grove’s Chanute facility. Beth and Carl fell in love on the first date and were engaged two months later. Beth moved to Texas, where she was employed as a chemist at Lone Star Steel in Lone Star, Texas. Beth and Carl were married on Saturday, September 4, 1993, at the Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Daingerfield, Texas.
Beth and Carl lived in Daingerfield for several years. While living in Daingerfield, Beth and Carl became the parents of two children, C.J. Pruitt and Christine Pruitt. Beth left Lone Star Steel shortly before the birth of C.J., and remained at home until Christine started school. Beth had dreamed of a career in the medical field as a youth, so when Christine entered school, Beth decided to pursue that dream. Beth was admitted into the nursing program at Northeast Texas Community College, Chapel Hill, Texas. Beth graduated from NTCC in 2006 with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing Science, and was the valedictorian of her nursing school class. Beth passed her state boards and was licensed as a Registered Nurse by the Texas Nursing Board in 2006. Beth held an active multistate nursing license until her death.
Beth began her nursing career at the Titus Regional Medical Center, Mount Pleasant, Texas, in 2006. Beth worked as a nurse with patients in the Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Postpartum departments. Beth worked as a nurse at TRMC until her health failed. Beth was diagnosed with Wegener’s Granulomatosis, an autoimmune disorder, and fought its effects on her body with her usual determination and good humor.
Despite taking precautions, Beth contracted the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and was diagnosed with COVID on February 1, 2022. She was treated with the newest and latest drugs her medical team could prescribe, and it appeared she had beaten the illness. Unfortunately, the SARS-CoV-2 virus proved to be a tough opponent. On March 4, 2022, Beth was rushed to UT Southwestern in Dallas, and was placed on a ventilator on March 13, 2022. She fought the illness with her usual dogged determination, but having to simultaneously fight both COVID and Wegener’s Granulomatosis was too much for Beth to overcome.
Beth enjoyed being outdoors, especially around water. She loved beaches. As a youth, Beth loved to swim so much, her mother swore she was “about 50% fish”. She loved to fish, and could catch fish in places where others had no luck – often to the aggravation of her brothers! She would catch a fish, have her father remove the hook from the fish’s mouth, then insisted on petting the fish before releasing it back into the water. She enjoyed many camping outings with her family. Beth did join a Brownie troop, but really preferred the activities of her brothers’ Cub Scout Pack 100 to those of her Brownie troop, so she accompanied her father – the Cubmaster of Pack 100 – and her mother – who served as Den Mother to her brothers’ Dens – and her brothers to Pack 100 and Den meetings and participated with her brothers and other Cub Scouts in those activities. One of Beth’s favorite memories was the trip she and her father took to the Philmont Scout Ranch in 1979, where they hiked and fished in the mountains with other members of Explorer Post 100,
Her father and brothers taught her to be tough and to not back down from any challenge or any person, and her mother taught her to have an open and loving heart. Beth applied those lessons to her daily life.
Beth was a Christian. She was a member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church, Chanute. Beth attended church services with her family in Daingerfield and in Longview. She and Carl raised their children in a loving and Christian household. She loved seeing her family and friends, and tried to come back to Chanute at least twice per year. She was involved in her children’s lives, and could often be found watching and cheering for them at their activities.
Beth was an animal lover. Her father was a veterinarian, and she grew up in a household which usually had at least one pet. Beth especially enjoyed cats, and opened her heart and household to them. Butterscotch (“Butter”) and Boo gave Beth and her family great joy…and many wet kisses!
Beth loved her family. Family was the most important part of her life. Activities, outings, and having fun with her family were highlights for Beth. She loved visiting her family in Kansas and Louisiana.
Beth was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Billy Joe La Rue, and her sister-in-law, Carlie Pruitt Barnard. In addition to her soul mate and beloved husband, Carl, Beth is survived by her children, Carl (C.J.) (fiancé Stacie Cave) of Lindale, Texas; and Christine Pruitt, Hughes Springs, Texas; her mother, Barbara La Rue, and her brothers Bruce (Gila), Brad (Carrie), and Brian La Rue, all of Chanute, Kansas. Beth is also survived by Carl’s parents, L.C. and Judy Pruitt, of Hughes Springs; by her nephews, Zach La Rue, Las Cruces, New Mexico; Jacob La Rue, Chanute; and Brian Barnard, Daingerfield, Texas; by her nieces, Kimberly (Jared) Novotny, Thayer, Kansas, Maggie La Rue (Andrew McConville), Newton, Kansas, and Kayla Barnard, Daingerfield; and by several great-nephews and great-nieces.
Beth’s funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 15, 2022, at the Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Daingerfield, with Father Eugene Tillekeratne presiding. Burial will follow at Sardis Cemetery, Hughes Springs under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Hughes Springs.
Beth’s family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and medical team at UT Southwestern for the medical care they gave Beth during her final illness, and for the love and care and support they gave Beth’s family during her time with them at UT Southwestern. Beth’s family also wishes to thank everyone for their prayers and support.
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I was never blessed to meet you, Beth, but I know you through your brother Brian. You were a gift to all who knew you and May your family always carry you in their hearts. May God hold you close.
I enjoyed being in band and looking up to Beth. Watching her play sax, and realizing that she began with flute & piccolo, gave me a role model and something to aspire to. She had a sense of humor and always joined in the laughter. I know she always gave her family someone to be proud of, and she was always proud of them. May God comfort and give those who love her fond memories, and an opportunity to continue her influence. Beth will be missed but not forgotten.
There are so many wonderful memories that I have of Beth, she was the sister of my heart and my beloved friend. We met at age 12, while in 7th grade. We were in advanced math with Mrs. Meisch and band together. Then, we were in almost every class together from that time through 4 years of college. We loved outdoing the boys in math class, chasing aftr Mr. Roberts and trying to lick his glasses in band, and generally causing a ruckus in our classes, but not enough to really get in trouble. Her humor kept us all in stitches, especially her Steve Martin impressions. She nicknamed me "Bonjour" during French class with Mr. Watson, and it caught on being the name that I was called throughout high school and college. We sang in French during our time at NCCC, especially during physics class. We were known as "The Dynamic Duo" during our time at Pittsburg State University. On a chemistry test, where the question was what is the definition of serendipity, she answered "what Karen does on a date", and got full credit for it. And that defines us, she was the funny one and I was her wing gal. I'll see you again Beth!! Sweet memories and God's Hope to comfort us all. Love you Bunches!!
On behalf of Iris Howard and her family, we send our condolences and prayers.
to the family of a dear co-worker and friend, how I enjoyed working with Beth and how we could talk for hours both of us had a lot in common and loved many of the same things. Worked at TRMC with Beth and enjoyed a smiling, determined person with a very positive attitude.
Janice Roesler, Pastor UMC and a retired RN
We are so very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Deepest condolences. I've many happy memories of Beth when I was causing trouble with her brothers. My thoughts and prayers are with the whole family.
Our deepest sympathy to Beth's family.
Sending our sincere sympathy to all the family. Thinking of you Barbara and asking God to surround you with His perfect peace and comfort during this difficult time.
To my old friends Bruce, Brad and Brian, and to your Mom – I am saddened by your loss. I didn't know Beth well, but I knew her three wonderful brothers. Praying you and your families find comfort and peace during this very difficult time.
Carl, Christine, & CJ
We are so very sorry to hear this & know she will be missed very much. Please know you are all in our thoughts & prayers.
Amber, Autumn Swedoski, & family
Praying for the family of such a dear and loving soul.. I worked with this Beautiful human being at TRMC.. Beth was always so caring and I just Love her.. We got along so well.. and I'm so glad God put her in my life.. She was Truly Lovely..
God Bless the family..
love,
Gina Thompson RN
I first met Beth when she was accepted into the RN program at NTCC. As her instructor I admired her determination to accomplish a long held goal. Beth was very professional, sincere, kind and loving with her patients. She will be missed.
I remember Beth getting ready for that trip in 1979. She could be seen hiking around town with her backpack.