Mrs. Violet Pruitt Mears, 93, of Parksley, a resident of Commonwealth Senior Living, and the wife of the late Otho Washington “O.W.” Mears, passed away on June 14, 2025, in Onancock.
Born on Sept. 30, 1931, in Chesconessex, she was the daughter of the late Sidney Pruitt and Ona Dize Pruitt.
Violet got married at the age of 16 and was married to O.W. for 72 years. Her dedication to her husband, their business, Barnyard Auctions, and her family was unmatched.
She was a member of Zion Baptist Church, serving in different committees over the years.
Violet loved the outdoors and hunting, shooting her first deer at the age of 74, alongside her husband. Best known for her love of cooking, Violet was an exceptional baker, often gifting others with her sweets. She had a calm, loving, and generous presence that she often shared with those in need. There was rarely a day that you didn’t see her with a smile on her face and a kind word to share.
Violet is survived by her beloved and dedicated son, Otho L. “Lennie” Mears, of Spotsylvania; her grandchildren, Lucy Beadnell and husband, Ray, of Arlington, Katie Pendergrast and husband, Chris, of Charlotte, N.C., Ryan Goodrich and wife, Heather, of Richmond, and Adam Goodrich and wife, Jenny, of Elkton; her 13 grandchildren; a brother, Brooks Pruitt and wife, Sharon; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Other than her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Eva Parks, Norma Fletcher, Sue Brown, Sidney Ann Davis, and Nancy Horner.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 20, at 2 p.m. from Commonwealth Senior Living in Onancock with the Rev. Michael French officiating. A reception will follow at the Zion Baptist Church fellowship hall in Parksley. Interment will be private.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Zion Baptist Church, c/o Ann Kellam, 26485 Lang Farm Road, Accomac, VA 23301.
Arrangements are by the Thornton Funeral Home in Parksley.
To sign the guest book online, visit: www.thorntonfuneralhome.net
