A Celebration of Life In loving memory of Mr. Norman Bruce, Alpha 8-14-1935, Omega 01-07-2011, Friday, January 14, 2011, Eleven O'clock A.M., First Church of God, 222 Lee Street, Darlington, South Carolina 29532, Reveremd Dr. Gloria Robinson, Pastor

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"To Jehovah belong the earth and that which fills it. The productive land and those dwelling in it."
Psalms 24:1
Mr. Norman Bruce_was born in Darlington, South Carolina on August 14,1935 a son of the late Walter Sr. and Lottie Williams Bruce. He departed this life early Friday morning, January 7, 2011 at McLeod Hospice House, Florence, SC after an extended illness.
He completed his education in the Darlington County Public Schools graduating from Mayo High School Class of 1956. Mr. Bruce proudly served his country in the US Army from 1956 to 1958 and completed his mission with an Honorable Discharge.
In the Spring of 1958, Mr. Bruce met and married Mrs. Jannie M. Mack-Bruce. They relocated to Liberty, New York. He was an entrepreneur and served God as a Deacon at the Liberty Friendship Baptist Church serving faithfully until he returned to Darlington, SC.
Norman Bruce was a master builder. He constructed Subways, Tunnels, Swimming Pools and Houses. He was also a Foreman for the Local Union 147. He resided in New York for 46 years. He returned to his hometown in Darlington, SC and became a faithful member of the First Church Of God on Lee Street. He served as a Choir Member, Adult Sunday School ..,~-., Teacher and a member of the Brotherhood. Brother Bruce was also involved in the Church's ;t.~) Outreach Ministries.
He received a number of achievement awards for outstanding services over the years.
He leaves to mourn his passing: a beautiful wife and the love of his life, Jannie Mack-Bruce of the horne; six children, Margaree Glen (Roddy), Janice Hoyte (Michael) both of Freeport, NY, Ralph Mack-Bruce (Grace) of Farmingville, NY, Janette Ortiz (Jorge) of Brooklyn, NY, Norma Bruce-Addo and Baby daughter, Joan Bruce-George (Johnny Seabrook) both of the Bronx, NY; one brother, Rochelle Bruce (Delphine) of Middletown, NY; two god-daughters, Barbara Stanley of Darlington, SC and Ann Carol Ravenell (Curtis) of Columbia, SC; one godsister, Carrie Mazon of Darlington, SC; ten grandchildren, Tyrone Mack, Julie Mack-Williams, Corey Mack, Racquel Mack-Jones, Daniel Glen, Ebony Hoyte, Alan J. George, Stephanie Addo-Zuniga, Jihirasad Addo and Keith Jordan Holder-George; ten great-grandchildren; .one aunt, Lurlene Hodges of Manhattan, NY; one uncle, Isaiah Coe of Darlington, SC; four sistersin-law, Charlena Williams (Curtis), Anna Laura House both of Darlington, SC, Mary Robinson of New Jersey and Gloria Silver of Florence, SC; one brother-in-law, Robert Sansbury of Florence; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and surrounding friends.

Order o/Service
Pastor Bobby Damon, Presiding
(Walker Avenue Church OfGod)
Processional ................................................................. Clergy/Family
Hymn ....... ....................................................................... The Choir
Rending ofthe Holy Scriptures: Old Testament ................................................................ (CPsalms 24 " New Testament ................. (CMatthew 5:13-16 " ..... ....... Min. Charles Moses
Prayer ofThanksgiving/Comfort .............................. Pastor Leroy Robinson
(Evening Light Church OfGod)
Duet ............................................... Joan Bruce-George and NormaAddo
Reflections: "Last Moments" ......................... ..... .. Margaree Glen ( Daughter)
Expressions: (3 Minutes Please) Classmate .................................................................... Ella Arthur Neighbor .............................................................. Willistine Brown Church ............................................................. Dr. Willie Boyd, Sr. Brotherhood ....................... ~ ..................................... Bennie Boston Family .................................................................. Lurlene Hodges Nurse ......................................... ............................. Nurse Sondra
Acknowledgements. .......................... ... ................. Mitchell-Josey Staff
Solo ........................................... ,.................... Deacon Henry Dowling
Eulogy .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .., ...... Rev. Dr. Gloria A. Robinson
Trio ............................................... The Bruce Sisters and Granddaughter
Recessional ..................... .................. ' ...... .. ....................... The Choir
Committal/Benediction/Interment In the
United States National Cemetery 803 E. National Cemetery Road,
Florence, South Carolina

Last Moments........
.:. On Thanksgiving Day, November 2010, in Darlington, South Carolina, it was a very warm day. I was visiting my parents. After placing the food in the oven and on the stove, I decided to go outside to feel the warm breeze. It was such a beautiful day. As I stood in the yard, my father appeared in the doorway. I watched him as he came outside and sat in the chair on the porch. He is still a tall statue of a man, although his body appeared to be frail. He was diagnosed with bone cancer months earlier. He called me by my nickname, and asked me to sit with him. I went, but I did not sit because I knew I would have to go inside and check the food shortly. As I stood beside him, he looked at me and said, "I am no ways tired." This is an old southern phrase, and sometimes included in old Negro spirituals which I take to mean that I serve and worship the Lord here on earth, and when He comes for me, I will continue to serve and worship Him- No, I am not tired yet. He said this with a smile. Then he looked at me and said, "Take care of Momma when I leave." I tried to reassure him that I and my other siblings would take care of our mother. But I also told him, you aren't going anywhere. I guess I was trying to give him a little hope and myself as well.
As the tears were forming in my eyes, I left him on the porch, and - went back to the kitchen. Shortly afterwards, my father came in and got his jacket. He said to me, "Momma and I are going for a walk." As they left, I decided to go the door to watch them as they (~:;_ walked down the block. He took her by the hand. A few seconds later, he slowly dropped her --~> hand, and hugged her as if he was never going to let her go. I smiled as I watched them. Again, I went back to my cooking. Upon their return to the house, they did not come inside but went to the backyard and sat under the tree. While taking the cancer treatments, his doctor did not want him in the sun. I went to the back door, and watched them as they sat under the tree. They would talk, and then he w~uld: gently touched her hands. My mother would get up and hug him, and then return to her chair. _
They finally came inside and dinner was served. I cannot explain what great joy I experienced on this Thanksgiving day knowing that this would probably be the last Thanksgiving Day I would spend with them as a couple. I got to spend Christmas with them as well. I will cherish these last moments. I know he is somewhere around God's throne singing. He had a great voice. -- Sing Daddy, Sing.
With Love, Margaree(Lovingly submitted on behalfofthe Bruce~ Children)

Pall Bearers Aundra Bruce Michael Bruce John "Bay" Jackson Clarence Williams

Chester Johnson Alan George Jerome Goodson

Flower Bearers Class of 1956

Acknowledgments
_, Words are inadequate to express the.humbleness and gratefulness we fe~l towards all_of r. _9urfaJ:D-ily and friends, who bav:e_c~nsoled us during our bere~vement. - Your prayers, : yo1:1r love, your pr'esence and service has sustained us. Your cards of sympathy,_floral
and alL other spyc~al :services are warmly appreciated. We saw.all of these as God's love
.expres-sed through you. Whatever you did to console our hearts, -we thank you so very. . much. May God continue to bless you.

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