Pastor Prude was born August 18, 1940, in Coalwood, West Virginia, the son of Floyd and Edith Bailey Prude, Sr. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Summa Cum Laude, from American Baptist College of ABT Seminary, Nashville, Tennessee. He was awarded his Doctorate of Divinity Degree from Beloit College. He served the families of the Emmanuel Baptist Church of Beloit, and the Beloit Community, from July 1973-2009, a period of thirty-six years.

It is fitting that the words of an editorial in the Daily News be used in describing Pastor Prude:
“A life lived to the fullest. One of Beloit’s best goes to his reward.

The Rev. Dr. Floyd Prude Jr. was, first and foremost in his public life, a man of God and pastor of Beloit’s Emmanuel Baptist Church, where he served the congregation for 36 years.

That would be more than enough of an achievement for any man.

He was an exceptional man. And his passing on Saturday will leave a big gaping hole in our community.”

But achievements outside of his pastoral duties, to serve his community, he had. Charter Member and Member of the Board of Directors of Beloit 2020; Chairman of Religious Affairs of the Beloit Chapter of the NAACP, member of the Board of directors of the Stateline YMCA; Chairman of the Beloit School District (E) Quality Committee; President of Greater Beloit Minority Coalition; and member of the National Baptist Convention.

With achievements came awards, and Pastor Prude received them by the score. State of Wisconsin Governor’s Award, Salvation Army’s William Booth Award, Beloit Daily News Headliner Award, American Baptist College’s Founders Award, Beloit Community Minister’ Martin Luther King Award, Rock County OIC Board Member of the Year Award, OIC Leon H. Sullivan Humanitarian Award, and Baptist College’s National Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award – to name a few.

Pastor Prude was survived by Regina M. Prude, his wife of 48 years, daughter, Sherri Lynn (Rev. Marvin) Neal, son Randy Allen Prude and three grand-children.