Alice Jewel Pruett McCullough, 86
Alice Jewel Pruett McCullough was born on Feb. 28, 1920, in the Ozark Hills at Dogwood, Mo., to Alvah and Violet Mae Pruett. She was the second oldest of nine children.
She 'left her earthly family to join her family in God's Kingdom' on Feb. 25, 2007, three days prior to her 87th birthday.
Alice married Olen McCullough June 24, 1940, in Dogwood. They divorced in 1961, but continued to care about each other's well being. They had three daughters, Jewel, Judy and Emma Mae, all born in Douglas County, Mo.
She is survived by her three daughters, Jewel Henneman and husband, Bob, Judy Timlick and husband, Dick, and Emma Mae Hodges, all of Kalispell; eight grandchildren, Cindy Steele (Mam Mam's little girl) and husband, Rod, Chris Nestegard and wife, Kim, Tim Nestegard, Ronnie Timlick and wife, Cheri, Adam, Abby and Matty Hodges, and Matthew Hodges and wife, Stacey; also 12 great-grandchildren, soon to be 13; sisters, Nadine Barker and Goldie Bryant; brothers, David Pruett, Bill and wife, Edna Pruett, and Aaron Pruett and wife, Bonnie, and sister-in-law, Evelyn Pruett.
Alice was preceded in death by her parents, Alvah and Violet Mae Pruett, an infant brother, Paul; and brother, Johnny; sister, Mary; sons-in-law, Gary Nestegard and Terry Hodges; one great-grandson, Tyler Nestegard; and more loved ones.
Mother thrived and found joy in hard work, no matter how difficult and trying. She worked in cafes, as a caregiver in a nursing home in Kalispell, and 20 years at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in the laundry department, the last years serving as a team leader, until she retired. She was very proud of being an employee there.
She was a member of the Eagles Organization in Kalispell, again something she took great pride in and had many good times there with her friends and family.
She loved canning and gardening and fed her family well from the produce of the large garden she tended.
Alice was a longtime member of the Easthaven Baptist Church, and dearly loved her church family. She had no honorary degrees, or awards, but if she had it would have been something on this order, 'No greater love for family was ever exhibited by any one person than our mother, Alice Jewel Pruett McCullough.'
She loved the Ozark Hills of Missouri, and the mountains of Montana. She will forever be a part of each.
Funeral services will be at 12:30 p.m. Friday, March 2, at Easthaven Baptist Church, 2010 Whitefish Stage Road. Viewing will be from 11:30 a.m. to approximately 12:15 p.m. at the church. Interment will be after the service at Glacier Memorial Gardens. A meal after the interment will be held at the Easthaven Baptist Church.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.