Muriel G. Bruce

Muriel Gearhart Bruce, 89, of Salisbury died Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at Genesis Eldercare after a period of declining health. Born November 13, 1920 in Radford, Virginia, she was a daughter of the late Maurice M. and Bertha Branson Gearhart. Her family moved to Roanoke, Va. in the late 1920s where Mrs. Bruce was a graduate of Andrew Lewis High School. After the start of World War II she moved to Washington, DC beginning her career in Federal Service. After the war Mrs. Bruce served the Veterans Administration Hospitals in Lexington, Kentucky, Roanoke, Va., and the VA Medical Center in Salisbury, N.C. beginning in 1953. Mrs. Bruce retired from the Veterans Administration in 1983. Mrs. Bruce was a member of Enon Baptist Church. She was also a 25 year member of the North Carolina Chapter of the Eastern Star. In years past Mrs. Bruce loved to dance, roller figure skate, and play the violin. She enjoyed horseback riding, swimming, and gardening and mostly the fellowship of friends, neighbors, and family. In addition to her parents Mrs. Bruce was preceded in death by her husband Claude G. Bruce who died in September 22, 2000, her brothers Neal Gearhart, Berkeley Gearhart, Lester Gearhart, and Doris Gearhart, her sister Mary Gearhart Sowder, and her niece Judy Sowder Thurmond. Surviving are her sons, Eddie Bruce and his wife Gail of Cleveland, NC, Claude Bruce and his wife Karen of Lewisville, NC, Michael Bruce and his wife Betty of Advance, NC and Jan G. Bruce and his wife Pat of Roanoke, Va., one granddaughter English Rupert, of Roanoke, VA, one grandson, Scott Bruce of Salisbury and two great grandchildren Rhea and Rio of Roanoke, Va. Mrs. Bruce’s obituary would not be complete without loving mention of her friend, assistant, her companion, and caretaker Pam Dean and her mother, Peggy Crews who have been an important and inspirational part of her life since 1999. Graveside services will be conducted 11:00 AM Friday at Rowan Memorial Park with the Rev. Donald McCann, minister of Third Creek Presbyterian Church officiating. The family will receive friends from 10-10:45 AM Friday at the Summersett Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in her honor be made to Rowan Helping Ministries, PO Box 4026, Salisbury, NC 28145 or Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary c/o R. Renée Jones, PNC, PSC, 5132 Mako Drive, Wilmington, NC 28409 Summersett Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com

Muriel G. Bruce

November 13, 1920 - April 13, 2010