The Reverend Doyle Thomas Pruett, 88, died peacefully in his home Sept. 21, 2026, surrounded by his children and loved ones. Reverend Pruett was born Feb. 9, 1938, to John Lucien Pruett and Dollie Irene Giles Pruett in Loudon County, Tennessee.
A 1956 graduate of Loudon High School, Reverend Pruett, often lovingly called Preacher Pruett, joined the U.S. Army, where he loyally served his country as an MP in Yuma, Arizona. After spotting his lifelong sweetheart, Linda Carolyn Willis Pruett, while peeking through a church window at an evening church service, they dated and then married Sept. 21, 1963.
Although saved at an early age, Reverend Pruett rededicated his life to the Lord Jesus Christ in December 1967 and answered the call to preach the gospel for the Free Will Baptist (FWB) denomination shortly thereafter. Reverend Pruett had the honor and privilege to pastor six churches in three states: East Sweetwater FWB in Sweetwater, Tennessee; Alexander FWB in Olive Branch, Illinois; Greeneville First FWB in Greeneville, Tennessee; North Spartanburg FWB in Spartanburg, South Carolina; Canah Chapel FWB in Erwin, Tennessee; and Kingsley Avenue FWB in Greeneville, Tennessee.
Reverend Pruett is survived by his children, daughter Pam and Bobby Rader, son Mark and Belindia Pruett, daughter Rachel and Todd King and son John Pruett; his grandchildren, granddaughter Faith Rader and Jonathan Cook, granddaughter Courtney Rader, grandson Matthew and Kelsie King, granddaughter Bethany Rader, grandson Tanner and Jannai Pruett, grandson Taylor and Chelsea Pruett and granddaughter Samantha and Austin Goss; and great-grandchildren, Adalyde Goss, Myla King, Hadley Pruett, Brooks Pruett, Slate Goss and Maverick King.
Reverend Pruett was preceded in death by the love of his life, Linda Carolyn Willis Pruett, and was able to join her in their heavenly home on their 63rd wedding anniversary. Reverend Pruett was additionally preceded in death by his sister, Alma Ruth; sister, Zelma Lorraine; father, John L. Pruett; mother, Dollie Giles Pruett; sister, Lois Appleton; brother, Dennis Pruett; sister, Muriel Pruett; and sister, Sue Shell.
The family will receive friends at Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home from 1-3 and 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. The funeral service will follow. The Rev. Tim Farris, the Rev. John Buchanan and the Rev. Tim Roach will officiate. The Rev. Ross Helton will close in prayer.
Reverend Pruett will be laid to rest at GreeneLawn Memory Gardens at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25, with a reading of scripture by the Rev. Tim Farris and a closing prayer by his grandson, the Rev. Taylor Pruett. Those who wish to go in procession are asked to meet at Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home at 10:15 a.m.
Pallbearers include all of his cherished grandchildren and their spouses. Honorary pallbearers include all the ministers of the Union Association of Free Will Baptists, all the members of Kingsley Avenue and Greeneville First FWB churches, Joe Russell, Everett Wicker and Denny Franklin.
The family would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the VA, Village Caregiving and Amedysis Home Health and Hospice. The family would like to extend special love and gratitude to Karen Farr, in addition to the other caregivers, for taking such excellent care of our loved one over the past two years. You were truly a blessing.
