1950
Chairman
2022
Chairman Trustee John William Bruce, Jr.
January 31, 1950 — July 31, 2022
Trustee John William Bruce, Jr. departed this life on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital, surrounded by family and friends. Affectionately known as “Junior” or “Brucie” by some, John was born January 31, 1950, to the late Deacon John William Bruce Sr. and Deaconess Mary Robinson Bruce in Forest, Virginia. Being the only boy and the baby of his parents’ five children, John was “spoiled rotten.”
He received his formal education in the Bedford County Public Schools and was a graduate of Susie G. Gibson High School class of 1969.
During his formative years, John was introduced to Christ and accepted Him as his personal Savior. He joined the Forest Level Baptist Church and worked faithfully in the membership. He was a man who understood the words of King Solomon in Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” John gave of his talents and time as Chairman of the Trustee Board, a member of the Food Committee, and the Grounds Keeper for many years. In addition to driving the church van for special services, he would also pick people up in his vehicle to bring them to church. He was never a person seen sitting down when there was work to do.
John’s work ethic matched his zeal for serving in the church. After retirement from Blue Ridge Beverage, he continued to work part-time in many areas. He worked at Country Kitchen and showed his expertise in mechanics while tinkering on automobiles for family and friends. John was also an entrepreneur with many side businesses, including Bruce’s Lawn Care. He did more than cut grass; he manicured lawns and meticulously ensured each yard was picture-perfect.
He was a member of the Lynchburg Virginia Moose Lodge 715 Lakeside Drive. He was a member of the Virginia State Ushers Fellowship Convention. He and Hester received the His & Hers Award from the Virginia State Ushers Fellowship for being committed, dedicated, and selfless. John was always ready to assist in any way for the fellowship.
Some forty years ago, John met Hester Harmon, and they were married on July 21, 1985. Lovingly known as her “Sugar Plum, John was the love of Hester’s life for 37 years. Together they raised their son John W. Bruce, III (JB). Some of the favorite family times were when John drove the transport for Kenneth Hammersley. He would take Hester and JB with him on day trips to New York, Maryland, Connecticut, and other eastern states and occasionally spend the night.
Other deaths preceding John were two aunts, Ms. Rada Poindexter and Mrs. Annie Rucker: three uncles, Misters Rudolph, James, and Ulysses Robinson, and a nephew Jessie Alexander. John was a loving and devoted brother, and he cared for his sisters, who were devoted to him. He was a loving uncle, too.
In addition to his wife, Hester, and son, JB, he leaves to cherish fond memories a daughter Ms. Tonya Bruce; four sisters, Rev. Eleanor McKinney; Ms. Annie Casey, Ms. Doris Alexander, and Ms. Frances Coles; four sisters-in-law, Ms. Elnora Williams; Mrs. Margaret Saunders (Herman); Mrs. Julia Jones (Terry); Mrs. Kaye Allen (Lawrence) four brothers-in-law, Elder Fletcher Hubbard (Savannah); Mr. Sidney Harmon, Jr. – his devoted friend; Rev. Garrett Harmon (Eva); Mr. Oscar Harmon; and lots of nieces and nephews, including great; great-great and great-great-great nieces and nephews.
Whenever John would go to a business, restaurant, or just the corner store, he never met a stranger. Some of those chance encounters became friendships over the years. His most treasured friends include Ms. B (Ann Weathersbee); Mr. Daniel Barksdale Sr.; Mr. Spencer Braxton; Mr. Clyde Craighead; Mr. Ken Frederick; Mr. & Mrs. Barney Seagel; Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Revis; and Mr. & Mrs. Warren Simmons. Papa and Grandma (Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Staton) loved and treated him like their son. His weary hours and days of pain and troubled nights are past. And in our hearts, we know he has found sweet rest at last.
The family will receive friends on Friday, August 5, 2022 from 6pm-8pm at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 11am at Tree of Life Ministries.
Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg is assisting the family.
He received his formal education in the Bedford County Public Schools and was a graduate of Susie G. Gibson High School class of 1969.
During his formative years, John was introduced to Christ and accepted Him as his personal Savior. He joined the Forest Level Baptist Church and worked faithfully in the membership. He was a man who understood the words of King Solomon in Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” John gave of his talents and time as Chairman of the Trustee Board, a member of the Food Committee, and the Grounds Keeper for many years. In addition to driving the church van for special services, he would also pick people up in his vehicle to bring them to church. He was never a person seen sitting down when there was work to do.
John’s work ethic matched his zeal for serving in the church. After retirement from Blue Ridge Beverage, he continued to work part-time in many areas. He worked at Country Kitchen and showed his expertise in mechanics while tinkering on automobiles for family and friends. John was also an entrepreneur with many side businesses, including Bruce’s Lawn Care. He did more than cut grass; he manicured lawns and meticulously ensured each yard was picture-perfect.
He was a member of the Lynchburg Virginia Moose Lodge 715 Lakeside Drive. He was a member of the Virginia State Ushers Fellowship Convention. He and Hester received the His & Hers Award from the Virginia State Ushers Fellowship for being committed, dedicated, and selfless. John was always ready to assist in any way for the fellowship.
Some forty years ago, John met Hester Harmon, and they were married on July 21, 1985. Lovingly known as her “Sugar Plum, John was the love of Hester’s life for 37 years. Together they raised their son John W. Bruce, III (JB). Some of the favorite family times were when John drove the transport for Kenneth Hammersley. He would take Hester and JB with him on day trips to New York, Maryland, Connecticut, and other eastern states and occasionally spend the night.
Other deaths preceding John were two aunts, Ms. Rada Poindexter and Mrs. Annie Rucker: three uncles, Misters Rudolph, James, and Ulysses Robinson, and a nephew Jessie Alexander. John was a loving and devoted brother, and he cared for his sisters, who were devoted to him. He was a loving uncle, too.
In addition to his wife, Hester, and son, JB, he leaves to cherish fond memories a daughter Ms. Tonya Bruce; four sisters, Rev. Eleanor McKinney; Ms. Annie Casey, Ms. Doris Alexander, and Ms. Frances Coles; four sisters-in-law, Ms. Elnora Williams; Mrs. Margaret Saunders (Herman); Mrs. Julia Jones (Terry); Mrs. Kaye Allen (Lawrence) four brothers-in-law, Elder Fletcher Hubbard (Savannah); Mr. Sidney Harmon, Jr. – his devoted friend; Rev. Garrett Harmon (Eva); Mr. Oscar Harmon; and lots of nieces and nephews, including great; great-great and great-great-great nieces and nephews.
Whenever John would go to a business, restaurant, or just the corner store, he never met a stranger. Some of those chance encounters became friendships over the years. His most treasured friends include Ms. B (Ann Weathersbee); Mr. Daniel Barksdale Sr.; Mr. Spencer Braxton; Mr. Clyde Craighead; Mr. Ken Frederick; Mr. & Mrs. Barney Seagel; Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Revis; and Mr. & Mrs. Warren Simmons. Papa and Grandma (Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Staton) loved and treated him like their son. His weary hours and days of pain and troubled nights are past. And in our hearts, we know he has found sweet rest at last.
The family will receive friends on Friday, August 5, 2022 from 6pm-8pm at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 11am at Tree of Life Ministries.
Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg is assisting the family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Chairman Trustee John William Bruce, Jr., please visit our flower store.
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