Doris Horne Pruitt
Doris Horne Pruitt passed peacefully on September 28, 2026, surrounded by her daughters, Katherine and Jennifer. Born May 29, 1945, she was raised in Wilson, NC and attended Fike High School. She then attended Meredith College and Atlantic Christian College. Upon completion of her bachelor’s degree, she taught school for a short time while starting a family. After the birth of her second daughter, she earned her Master of Business Administration from East Carolina University in 1979 and went on to obtain her CPA licensure in 1980. Doris was a pioneer for women in the business world and was a deeply devoted mother, grandmother, and friend. She had a remarkable career that began in an era when women faced immense barriers to professional development. She worked at Deloitte (formerly Deloitte, Haskins & Sells) as a CPA when she and her two daughters first moved to Raleigh. She then went on to become the Chief Financial Officer of Robuck Homes where she worked for over 35 years. Through her resilience and visionary leadership, Doris excelled and met every challenge with a tenacious spirit.
In Doris’s fashion, her passing did not come without a fight. Not long after retirement, Doris was involved in a serious automobile accident in November of 2022. Her strong intellect, resilient spirit, and fierce determination during the months after her accident allowed her to continue making numerous treasured memories with her friends and family. Despite the tragedy, Doris remained a Pint-Sized Powerhouse and once again rose to the obstacles of life and was able to enjoy four more years with her loved ones. This time was spent with her family and friends at her “Happy Place”. For those of you who knew Doris, you would know this place as her beach house in Emerald Isle, NC. It was there, especially in her final years, that she found great joy sitting on the deck, swinging on the porch, and gathering with her family and friends making cherished memories. Doris’s life was anchored by her love for Christ and her family. As a single mother and devoted grandmother, her love of numbers and finance paled in comparison to her boundless love and fierce loyalty to her children and grandchildren.
Doris’s life is a story of resilience, independence, and the determination to build a life on her own terms. Doris always had a heart for helping others, whether it meant offering a listening ear or words of encouragement. She was a mentor to many, both professionally and personally, sharing her wisdom, guidance, and support with those fortunate enough to know her.
Doris is survived by her daughters, Katherine Pruitt Blanton (Trae) of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, and Jennifer Pruitt Knight of Park City, Utah; and her four wonderful grandchildren, Anna Blanton, Alex Blanton, Pruitt Knight, and Harper Knight, who brought her so much joy. She is also survived by her brother, Hadie Horne; her nieces and nephews (Michele, Karyn, Clark, Courtney, Paige and Frank); her extended family; her church family; and many lifelong friends who will cherish her memory.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer Lee Horne and Annie Pearl Cook Horne; her sister, Patricia Horne Smith; her brother, Elmer Lee Horne Jr.; her cousin, Sandra Horne Griffin; and her nephew, Tom Belcher.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 1:00 at Triangle Church, 2103 Page Road, Durham, NC. A graveside service will be held on Sunday, November 15, 2026, at 11:00 at Maplewood Cemetery in Wilson, NC.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to all of Doris’s caregivers, her church family group, countless friends and family, and Transitions Hospice who supported Doris and her family throughout this journey.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Triangle Church at https://triangle-church.churchcenter.com/giving. Choose general donations and add a memo stating, “In memory of Doris Pruitt.”