the Dance Factory

Our family had to say goodbye to two of our favorite people in the whole world this past dance year.  Mrs. Shirley passed away July 21, 2009 and Ms. Jackie followed May 26, 2010.  They were both a huge help at the studio since we opened in 1992.  We miss them more than words can say!

On this page I have archived the posts I put on the website during those times.  We saved them for those who may not have known the whole situation.  Also, Mom and Jackie's eulogies are here, too.  Thank you, friends, for your continued prayers.

 Mrs. Shirley (Shirley Ann Williams)

 (from Aug. 8, 2009)We just wrapped up three days of registration and of course, for the first time in 17 years, it had to be done without Mrs. Shirley.  It went very well though and she would have been proud!  We had wonderful friends and family who volunteered to come out and help. To say thank you seems extremely inadequate.  You all have made a huge difference by helping.  God has blessed us with awesome people in our lives who are willing to drop everything and come running when life happens.  Again, I want to thank everybody for all the cards, emails, visits, hugs, and prayers!   If not for faith in God, my awesome husband, and all of you, I'm not sure how we'd get thru all of this. So THANK YOU!!!

Love,

Mrs. Deanna 

 (From July 23, 2009)

Our dear mom, Mrs. Shirley, went home to Heaven Tuesday, July 21.  She had been feeling poorly for about a week and had been admitted to the hospital Thursday. After determining she had a heart attack and some blockage, she received a couple of stents. Saturday she was experiencing bouts of low blood pressure, but everything was finally regulated Sunday and she returned to her house Monday afternoon. We all thought she was going to be just fine. I talked to her that evening around 9 and she said she felt great, was happy to be out of the hospital, was going to read a bit, and go to bed in her own bed.  She woke up the next morning in Heaven! 

We have experienced such an outpouring of love from so many people and I just can't express how much it means. Thank you all so much for your prayers and friendship! God bless you!

Praise Him for more blessings than we can count and praise Him for blessing us so greatly with mom's presence in our lives And just remember - We will see her again someday! 

While we are all in shock over it and it is a difficult time, we take comfort in knowing that Mom's up there rejoicing with her parents, grandparents, etc!  She will be missed -she was just so awesome and life without her is going to be very difficult.  But we'll get thru it. God has a plan and I trust Him.  He wanted to call her on home and I know she is in a FAR better place now! And God is stronger than this grief; He'll help us thru it! 

 Mrs. Shirley's eulogy

Ms. Jackie's eulogy

Ms. Jackie (Jackelyn Ann Pruitt)

Many of you have been wondering about the health of Ms. Jackie.  Sadly, she has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Originally, it sounded like she might have 4-5 months without treatment - up to a year with treatment.  However, we were told May 17 that her organs were beginning to fail and it could be any time now.   She is under hospice care at Deaconess.   Obviously, we are saddened by all of this, but we know God has a plan and we are praying that His will be done. (May 25, 2010)

Ms. Jackie went to Heaven Wed. May 26. I can only imagine the glory and majesty of what she is experiencing now!   She has been reunited with Mom and many of our family members and friends and of course, the best part is that she is with Jesus!  So while we are going to miss her very much, we are happy that her earthly struggles are over and she is now experiencing eternal life in Heaven!  We will see her again!

Recital Notes (June 10, 2010)

I want to thank God for EVERYTHING! Even with the trials we've been through this past year, we still have had a year of blessings! I want to thank my family, friends, students and their families, the Fine Arts Center staff and crew, our student helpers, and backstage/rehearsal helpers.  All of you have worked extra hard to make our show a success! Thank you!!!

Many thanks also to those who helped at registration time and with the Christmas program and to the countless others who have helped in some way of which I may not even be aware!

Mrs. Shirley and Ms. Jackie,  We love you and cherish the memories we have of you! You are missed more than words can express, but we know you are in Heaven and experiencing the glory and majesty of the Lord firsthand.  Praise God!  We will see you again someday!   Thank you, Jesus, for that blessed assurance!

Our family wishes to thank...

... the many awesome people who volunteered to sit with Jackie during her illness.  It was a tremendous blessing to us and we are so grateful to you all!  Ellie Coursey, thank you for organizing the whole thing.  I know it was a huge undertaking!

...Deaconess Hospice Center for the wonderful care Jackie received and for the kindness shown to all of us!

 ... First Baptist Church and all the Henderson and Tri-State churches that were praying constantly for Jackie and the family. We have felt those prayers and appreciate your love and support!

...All of you for your prayers, caring words, emails, cards, flowers, food, donated services, acts of kindness, and visits to the hospital, our homes, and the funeral home. Your thoughtfulness was greatly appreciated and we thank you for helping us through this difficult time!