Portrait of Evelyn Pruitt. IMB Photo

Evelyn Pruitt, an International Mission Board missionary emeritus who shared the gospel in Trinidad and Tobago, died Feb. 6, 2024. She was 89.

Evelyn was born May 11, 1934, in Romania to Southern Baptist missionaries, Walter and Hazel Craighead. She studied at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, the University of California in Berkeley, California, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary (now Gateway Seminary) in California, and Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma.

She married John Pruitt in 1955.

She grew up on the mission field in Romania and Paraguay. She became a believer at the age of 9 during a revival service. Years later, while at Ridgecrest Conference Center, she surrendered to God’s call on her life to missions.

For the first 30 plus years of their marriage, she served alongside John as a pastor’s wife across the United States. While serving on staff at a church in Oklahoma, a visiting missionary serving in Israel told John and Evelyn of the great need, and his sharing prompted them to consider missions.

In 1987, the Foreign Mission Board (now International Mission Board) appointed Evelyn and John missionaries to Trinidad and Tobago.

John’s obituary reported that John and Evelyn strengthened small churches and started new ministries. The couple had to move from Trinidad to Tobago because of a coup. In Tobago, they established preaching points, Bible studies and missions. They showed Christian films, hosted street meetings, distributed Bibles and hosted discipleship trainings for new Christians. They became known across the island as “Bro. John” and “Sister John.”

Evelyn and John retired after 13 years of service.

Evelyn is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, John, and her son-in-law, Danny Buck.

She is survived her eight children, Teresa Pruitt, David Pruitt (Herlin), Steven Pruitt (Danielle), Mark Pruitt, Angela Lashley (Bo), Wesley Pruitt, Debbie Pruitt, Pam Pruitt; and 20 grandchildren.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Lottie Moon Offering, IMB, 3806 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA 23230, or online at Generosity Resource Center – IMB Generosity.