Alice Fulton Ferriday Pruet, lovingly known as Dolly to her friends and as Grammia to her grandchildren, was born on April 20, 1942, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and passed away peacefully at her home in Roswell, Georgia, on August 2, 2026, after a courageous journey with metastasized breast cancer.
Dolly lived a life defined by love, faith, adventure, compassion, and an unwavering devotion to the people around her. She had a remarkable ability to make life fun and memorable, bringing energy and joy wherever she went. She was a true presence in any group—outgoing, engaging, and full of life. Her adventurous spirit was evident throughout her years, from being part of a trick skiing team to enjoying snow skiing and embracing new experiences with enthusiasm and confidence.
Dolly also had a lifelong passion for learning and teaching. An accomplished educator, she devoted her career to inspiring students through her love of languages. She taught Spanish and French and later earned her master's degree in English as a Second Language. Throughout her career, she shared her gifts with students in Omaha, Nebraska; Florence, Alabama; Manassas, Virginia; and the Atlanta, Georgia, area. Teaching was more than a profession—it was a calling, and she found great joy in helping others learn and grow.
Above all else, Dolly's greatest joy and proudest accomplishment was being a mother. She devoted her life to loving her daughters and giving them the best life she could provide. The bond they shared was extraordinary—so close that they were often more like three sisters than a mother and her daughters. Their lives were filled with laughter, adventure, unwavering support, and unconditional love.
Dolly's love for family continued to grow as her daughters began families of their own. One of her greatest goals was to truly know and be present for her grandchildren. She made that dream a reality by purchasing homes in both Virginia and Georgia, where her daughters lived, allowing her to spend half of each year in each state. She arranged her life around being available to help, encourage, and simply be with her grandchildren. Her presence was a gift—a grandmother who showed up, loved deeply, and created a lifetime of memories.
Her grandchildren knew her as Grammia, a name filled with love and affection. Andrew, Josh, Moriah, Julie, Emily, Carlie, Reagan, Sierra, and Arlie each grew to know and love her deeply. Grammia poured her love, wisdom, faith, encouragement, and joy into their lives. She treasured every moment spent with them and left each of them with memories and lessons they will carry forever.
Dolly found joy in many creative and meaningful pursuits. She loved painting, sewing, playing games, and gathering around the table for cards with family and friends. She also loved watching figure skating and tennis, appreciating the skill, dedication, and beauty of these sports. Whether enjoying a quiet afternoon watching a favorite competition or sharing time with loved ones, Dolly had a gift for finding joy in life's special moments.
But above all, Dolly loved Jesus. Her faith was the foundation of her life and the legacy she leaves behind. In 1972, while watching Billy Graham's ministry on television, Dolly made the life-changing decision to ask Jesus Christ to be the Lord of her life. From that moment forward, her faith shaped every part of who she was.
Dolly lived out the words of Scripture to "pray without ceasing," and prayer was one of the greatest gifts she gave to others. She prayed faithfully for her daughters, her grandchildren, her family, and countless others. She treasured the time she spent with her many prayer partners and prayer groups, where she found joy, encouragement, and fellowship. Her prayer life reflected her deep trust in God and her desire to bring others before Him.
Dolly was also a generous giver. She believed deeply in supporting ministries around the world that shared the message of Jesus and helped others experience His love. Her generosity was an expression of her faith and her desire to see more people come to know Christ.
Dolly faithfully raised her daughters in church, teaching them from an early age the importance of loving Jesus with their whole hearts. She prayed continually that God would guide their lives and bless them with godly spouses. Those prayers were answered, and both of her daughters have been blessed with loving husbands with whom they have shared more than 30 years of marriage. Her family treasures the faith she lived and the prayers she faithfully offered.
Dolly was preceded in death by her former husbands, Peter Nicolaysen and Charles Pruet, and by her parents, Edith and Robert Ferriday.
She is survived by her daughters, Amy VanderLugt and Wendy Whitlow; her sons-in-law, David VanderLugt and Arlie Whitlow III; her grandchildren, Andrew, Josh, Moriah, Julie, Emily, Carlie, Reagan, Sierra, and Arlie; her brother, Robert Ferriday; and her sister, Katharine Beggs. Along with her extended family and dear friends, they will forever treasure the love, warmth, generosity, wisdom, and steadfast faith she brought into their lives.
Though her family grieves her passing, they do not grieve without hope. They find comfort in knowing that Dolly is now in the presence of the Savior she loved so deeply and faithfully served throughout her life. Her legacy of faith, love, prayer, generosity, courage, joy, and devotion will continue through the generations she so lovingly nurtured.
"Well done, good and faithful servant." — Matthew 25:23
Memorial service details will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to www.Samaritanspurse.org , in honor of Dolly's lifelong desire to help others hear the message of Jesus.