Bess Pruitt, 85 of Lake City, passed away on Friday, June 9, 2023 at the Haven Hospice Suwannee Valley Care Center.  She was born in Dahlonega, Georgia, the seventh of eight children, to the late Gordon Stanton Dowdy, Sr and Nell Smith Dowdy.  Mrs. Pruitt has been a longtime resident of Lake City. She was completely devoted to her husband and was happiest when she was with him. She enjoyed cooking for her family, going to the flea markets, casinos and traveling to the North Carolina Mountains.  Mrs. Pruitt was preceded in death by 7 siblings.

Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Lewis Pruitt, Lake City; two daughters, Janice Harris (Jimmy), Gainesville, GA and Kathy Johns (Brian), Lake City; two grandchildren, Lindsay Giglio (Greg), Gainesville, GA and Casey Bowers (Tom), Acworth, GA; and three great-grandchildren, Thomas Bowers, William Bowers and Clay Giglio.

A private graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery with Pastor Lonnie Johns officiating.