About Us | Pruitt Funeral Home

History & Staff

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

Our History

In the summer of 1905, Joe T. Cunningham opened a furniture store and funeral home in downtown Royston. In the spring of 1935, John R. Pruitte fractured his neck in a diving accident. He could no longer care for the farm that he and his wife, Fannie Ida, had recently bought. Hearing of the young couple's troubles, Joe Cunningham offered to move them into an apartment in the funeral home.John Pruitte began working in the furniture store, but eventually Mr. Cunningham had him work at the funeral home. Realizing that John R. had a real gift for dealing with grieving families, he asked him to work full-time.For a short period, Charlie Weatherly joined Mr. Cunningham, and the funeral home became Cunningham & Weatherly Funeral Home. When Mr. Weatherly decided to sell his part of the business, Mr. Cunningham offered it to John R., and it became Cunningham and Pruitte Funeral Home.John R. bought the entire business after the death of Mr. Cunningham in 1956, and it became Pruitte Funeral Home. Mr. Pruitte's nephew, William Oscar Pruitt, Sr. (Cedric), worked as an apprentice before attending embalming school. Cedric joined his uncle and aunt after graduating from the Kentucky School of Embalming in 1958.In the mid-1960s, Garnett Lee Bailey joined the staff and became a licensed funeral director in 1974. For the next 14 years, John R., Cedric, and Garnett worked together to lay the foundation for the traditions that would define and shape the future of Pruitte Funeral Home. This hardworking trio ended too soon when Garnett passed away at the young age of 43.In 1989, John R. and Fannie decided to sell the business to Cedric and his son, William Oscar Pruitt, Jr. At this time, the spelling of "Pruitte" was changed to "Pruitt" to reflect Cedric's spelling of the family name. Cedric and William enjoyed working together in this father and son partnership. However, in the late 1990s, they realized they needed to add another member to the team, so William asked Chadwick G. Bailey, Garnett's son, to join them. Chad graduated from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service as a licensed funeral director and embalmer in 1998.After serving families in the area for 42 years, Cedric retired in 2000. William, Jr., purchased his father's share of the business and William and Chad continued the traditions established by both their fathers.In October, 2003, William, Jr. sold the business to Chad, who continues to own and the operate the funeral home today.

The staff of Pruitt Funeral Home is dedicated in continuing to give the same kind of service that has been a tradition since our doors opened in 1905.


Our Valued Staff

Chadwick G. Bailey

Chadwick G. Bailey, Owner and Managing Funeral Director

Chad has owned Pruitt Funeral Home since 2003. A native of Royston, he is a licensed funeral director and embalmer. He joined the staff in 1995, and graduated from the Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in 1998. Chad is a member of the Academy of Graduate Embalmers, Georgia Funeral Directors Association, and the National Funeral Directors Association. When he is not working, you will find him spending time with his children.


Olivia M. Harris

Olivia M. Harris, Funeral Director and Embalmer

Olivia was raised in Royston, and joined the Pruitt Funeral Home staff in 2012. She graduated from Piedmont Technical College in 2014, with her degree in Mortuary Science. She became a licensed funeral director and embalmer in June of 2016. She is married to Kevin Harris and they have two children, Posie and Grady. They are active members at the Royston Baptist Church and in the Royston community.


Charles E. Hamrick II

Charles E. Hamrick II, Apprentice Funeral Director and Embalmer

Charles Hamrick joined the Pruitt Funeral Home staff in March of 2020. He is married to Lisa Hamrick and they have two children. He graduated from Gupton Jones and is studying to take his National and State Boards.


Patricia B. Hart

Patricia B. Hart, Office Manager

Patricia is a part of our office team. A native of Royston, Georgia, she joined the Pruitt Funeral Home staff in 2011. She has two sons, Shawn and Shane, as well as four grandchildren. Patricia is a member of Trinity Church in Royston, GA.


Jerry Gaines

Jerry Gaines, Assistant Funeral Director


Charles Maxey

Charles Maxey, Assistant Funeral Director


Vernon Sorrells

Vernon Sorrells, Assistant Funeral Director


Dr. Tony Moon

Dr. Tony Moon, Assistant Funeral Director


Jason Cawthon

Jason Cawthon, Apprentice


Harris Gaines

Harris Gaines, Assistant Funeral Director


Jimmy Cawthon

Jimmy Cawthon, Assistant Funeral Director