Obituary for Leola E. Pritchett
Leola Elizabeth Green Pritchett, affectionately known as “Lee,” was born on January 7, 1935 in Blackstone, Virginia to the late John and Richetta Green. Leola was the 7th child out of 10. She was educated in the Nottoway County School System where she attended Luther H. Foster High School and was a basketball all-star. At an early age, she gave her life to God and became a member of Spring Hill Baptist Church in Blackstone, Virginia. On November 23, 1952, she was united in marriage to Floyd E. Pritchett, Sr., from this union the four Pritchett boys were born.
In 1960, Leola, Floyd and the boys relocated to the West End of Richmond, VA. In 1970, they purchased the iconic blue house on Delaware Avenue in Highland Park. Lee and Floyd opened Floyd’s Reconditioning, a shop specializing in automotive work and detailing located on Broad Street in Richmond. Floyd did most of the mechanic work while Leola, their 4 boys and other family members focused on car detailing. The black-owned business thrived for over a decade in the historic downtown Richmond area. Once the business closed, Lee began to care for her oldest granddaughter. Lee soon became the trusted caregiver for her grandchildren and started an in-home day care. Word spread and “Grandma Lee” became grandma to many as she cared for the children of extended family members for many years. Many fond memories were made and milestones were met at the blue-stucco house on Delaware Ave.
Lee was known for many things. Every year, family and friends requested her notorious sweet potato pies for Thanksgiving and Christmas. She baked dozens every year using a recipe that was written in her heart, never on paper. No summer cookout was complete without Lee’s pineapple ice cream. She would show up with all the essential supplies and people would line up when she announced that the ice cream was ready. When it came to fashion, Lee was known to coordinate from head to toe. This would include her hat, cane, clothing, jewelry, shoes, and even nail color. This standard continued even in her latter days, as her boys and Richetta continued to coordinate her looks and nails. She enjoyed shopping on Saturdays with her daughter-in-law Spring and her younger sister Lillie. Lee loved to play cards with family and always had her change purse in her matching handbag. She welcomed her grandchildren to the card table and used pennies to teach the game in addition to math skills.
Leola was a faithful member of Grayland Baptist Church where she was elected as Deaconess and was a member of the Golden Age Ministry. She was also a member of the VA Purple Diamonds Chapter of the Red Hatters. Her consistent commitment to these groups created a large community of people who love and adore her.
Leola was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd E. Pritchett, Sr.; and son, Floyd E. Pritchett, Jr. Her sisters: Julia Anderson, Martha Hawkes, Annie Smith, Pocohontas Fitzgerald and Shirley Mitchell. Her brothers: James Green, Wilson Green and Willie Green.
On February 21, 2024, God called Leola home to be with Him. Left to cherish her memories are her loving boys: Michael, Kennard and Wayne (Spring); honorary son: Henry Smith; grandchildren: Michael Green, Richetta Pritchett, Che’Vonne Crawley, Jermaine Pritchett, Chanel Freeman (Darin), Jasmin Pritchett and D’Andra Barnes; great grandchildren: Chenice Lewis, Kierra Allen, Nicholas Hamlor, Jr., Alise Freeman, Brielle Freeman, D’Ante Crawley, Raekwon Green, Shaekwon Green and Michael Green; sister: Lillie Cragg; sister in law: Lois Moore; brother in laws: Waymond Mitchell, Sr., Lorenzo Fitzgerald, Sr., Leroy Pritchett, Curtis Pritchett (Geneva) and James Pritchett; daughter-in-laws: Bonita Pritchett and Millicent Pritchett; Godchildren: Dexter Anderson and Alisa Gregory; honorary grandchildren: LaTasha James, Vaunda Bellerice, Alexander Holmes, Frank Ford, Jr., Jordan Ford, Lauren Ford, Madison and Milord Bellerice; devoted niece: Jacqueline Green; devoted church friends: Deaconess Helen Robertson and Deaconess Renae Herbert and many generations of loving nieces, nephews, and friends.
Lee was fulfilled by being in the midst of her family and friends having a good time. She was soft-spoken, but profoundly present. Her presence and smile will be dearly missed
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Previous Events
Visitation
Tuesday
27
Feb
12:00 PM
- 5:00 PM
W. E. Hawkes and Son Funeral Home
504 East Street
Blackstone, VA 23824
Service
Wednesday
28
Feb
11:00 AM
Scott Funeral Home
115 E. Brookland Park Blvd.
Richmond, VA 23222
Cemetery Details
Location
Springhill Baptist Church
403 Springhill Road
Blackstone, VA 23824
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