Mary Bruce
Mrs. Mary Avella Wallace Bruce, age 104, passed away at her home surrounded by her family on March 17, 2025.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Exchange Street Church of Christ. Jeff Kenee will be officiating, assisted by Landon Moore. Burial will follow in East View Cemetery.
Visitation will be on Friday, March 21, 2025, at White-Ranson Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Deacons of Exchange Street Church of Christ.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Elders of Exchange Street Church of Christ and their wives, and wives of the Deacons.
A second memorial service will be held on July 5 during the previously planned five-year Bruce Family Reunion.
Mary Avella Wallace was born on August 18, 1920, on the family farm near Hornbeak to the late Milus and Ethel (Gantlett) Wallace. A true daughter of Tennessee, in 1996 during the State’s Bicentennial she was conferred membership in the First Families of Tennessee by the East Tennessee Historical Society as a direct descendant of Joseph Wallace who settled in Tennessee prior to Statehood. She attended Parkview School in Samburg from Card Class through 8th grade, where she played on the girls’ basketball team, then attended 9th grade at Hornbeak High School. In 1935 she was baptized during a gospel meeting at Mt. Zion Church of Christ, beginning a life of Christian piety and service.
She married Edgar R. Bruce on December 25, 1938, at Park View Church of Christ in Samburg. Their first two daughters were born in Tennessee, then in late 1942 they moved to Michigan where they raised their six children plus parented over 30 foster children. After he did various jobs, they opened an appliance sales and repair shop where she was the bookkeeper, made small appliance repairs, and took in laundry. She taught children’s Bible classes and he preached part-time until 1960 when he began full-time ministry in Akron, Michigan. They helped established a Church of Christ congregation in Bad Axe, Michigan, in 1962 where they ministered until 1973 when they moved to the Rochester, Indiana, Church of Christ. In 1976 the couple returned to Obion County to serve with Christian Chapel Church of Christ near Kenton. She insisted she never did or said anything just because she was a preacher’s wife, but rather because she was a Christian.
Retiring from full-time ministry in 1979, the Bruces moved to Union City to a house one year older than she, in which they fed and lodged countless family, church family, needy children, and visiting missionaries. They became members at Exchange Street Church of Christ where they helped begin its Meals on Wheels, and she served on the Elder Selection Committee and the Missions Committee and assisted her husband when he taught junior high Bible classes. She also accompanied him as he continued to preach part-time at multiple churches. In 1982 they were the first summer managers at Reelfoot Youth Camp near Hornbeak. When the camp was upgraded to a year-round facility in 2000, she sent letters to friends and supporters to raise all the funds needed for new mattresses, about $6,000. She continued to support the camp and to provide donations for children to attend summer camp. The couple enjoyed traveling to visit family and for spiritual retreats, so she visited seven foreign countries and about 30 states. Mr. Bruce passed July 18, 1993.
For many years, Mrs. Bruce worked from her home as a quilter and seamstress plus she volunteered as a hospital Pink Lady. For 54 years, she taught Bible correspondence courses for thousands of students worldwide, and from age 75 to 90 she was Ministry Leader for Exchange Street’s World Bible School. At age 92 she began a semi-monthly benevolent sewing club in her home and at age 95 she opened her home for a weekly ladies’ Bible study. Even in her later years, except for ill health or inclimate weather, she attended worship assembly every Sunday morning. Her daily activities included reading her devotional and large-print Bible and Christian novels, working Sudoku puzzles, playing Rumikub with family and friends, tending her outdoor flowers, watching her game shows, and crocheting caps to send to children around the world. She was able to remain in her home of 45 years with the devoted care of her four daughters and granddaughters Julie Turner and Becky Tilton.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Bruce was predeceased by two sisters and one brother-in-law, Irene Williams and Ina and Elwood Snead; and six brothers and four sisters-in-law, Clarence and Virginia Wallace, Riley and Ruth Wallace, Paul Wallace, Raymon and Carolin Wallace, Waymon and Laverne Wallace, and infant Naymon Wallace.
She is survived by her six children and their spouses: Dona and Leonard Blake of Aiken, S.C.; Leecia Penrod of Union City; Stella and Keith Kreh of Searcy, AR; Jim and Karen Bruce of Shelby, N.C.; Ethelene and Roy White of Union City; and Gary and Jan Bruce of Edmond, OK. She also leaves 18 grandchildren and spouses of 13, 36 great-grandchildren and spouses of five, and four great-great-grandchildren with two more on-the-way. She is also survived by numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and her cherished church family.
During a long and productive life, she demonstrated in countless ways her concern for the physical and spiritual welfare of others, earning the respect and affection of people of all ages. Her life was very much like the lovely hand-made quilts she created: a patchwork of people and experiences, pieced together with a constant faith in her Savior, resulting in a lovely and useful creation.
Mrs. Bruce loved flowers, so floral tributes will be gratefully received. Memorial donations are suggested to Reelfoot Youth Camp and Retreat Center, 4304 Kendall Road, Hornbeak, TN 38232.
The Messenger/3.17.25