Robbie S. Pritchett

STAUNTON, Va. - Robbie Sutton Pritchett, 81, husband of Beatrice Lucille (Ruark) Pritchett of Staunton, died Thursday night, Feb. 22, 2007, in Augusta Medical Center, Fishersville.

He was born Sept. 18, 1925, in Bishop's Head, a son of the late Wilson Davis and Mildred (Mills) Pritchett.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy; as a medic attached to the U.S. Marine Corps, he served during World War II on Iwo Jima and in Japan from 1943-46.

Mr. Pritchett was previously employed as manager of J.C. Penney for 23 years, from 1962-69, at the downtown Staunton store. He owned Pritchett's Uniform Shop in Staunton Plaza and LuSu Fashions in Stuarts Draft.

He was a former member of Marquis Memorial United Methodist Church and Bethany Presbyterian Church. Beyond his local church memberships, he always considered himself a member of the Chapel of the Four Chaplains. He was also an avid gardener.

In addition to his wife of 60 years, family members include his son and daughter-in-law, Danny and Betty Pritchett of Staunton; his daughter and son-in-law, Sharlene and Rob Wade of Waynesboro; four grandsons, Eric Pritchett of Staunton, Aaron and Emily (Forrest) Pritchett of Newport News and Bryan and Tyler Battaglia of Waynesboro; three great-grandsons, Matthew, Robbie and Benjamin Pritchett of Newport News; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Rufus and Charlotte Pritchett of Cambridge, Oneal and Lois Pritchett of Milton, Del., and Melvin and Peggy Pritchett of Toddville; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Blondell Pritchett of Cambridge, and Lucille and Jack Rigby of Blades, Del.; sisters-in-law, Cleta Pritchett of Crocheron, and Burnice Ruark of Denton; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Madaline and Medford Pritchett of Bishop's Head; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Davis Pritchett; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Henrietta and Marvin Pritchett, Mary Ann Thomas, Nancy Lee Pritchett and Frederick Ruark.

A funeral service was conducted at 11 a.m. Feb. 27, 2007, in the Henry Funeral Home Chapel by the Revs. Merle Dodson, Doug Ebert and Danny Pritchett. Burial services were conducted in Thornrose Cemetery Mausoleums by the Rev. Otis Fisher with military graveside rites by Staunton VFW Post 2216.

Active pallbearers were Darrell Carter, Ron Cash, Dennis Hrusecky, Otis Moats, Levi Ruark and Butch Shaner.

Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Christopher Heck and Dr. Jaime Escanellas.

The family received friends from 7 until 8:30 p.m. Feb. 26, 2007, in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to AMC Hospice of the Shenandoah, Hospice House, P.O. Box 215, Fishersville, VA 22939 or to the American Heart Association, 3025 Berkmar Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22901.