Della Bruce age 100 passed away August 24, 2020 at the Henderson Health & Rehabilitation Center.
Della Elizabeth Bright Bruce was born in Choctaw County, Mississippi on November 27, 1919, to Walter and Myrtle Bright. She married Sanford Orlando “SO” Bruce on May 17, 1936. She was mother to five children and a housewife for many years. She became a resident of Starkville, MS in 1967. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Bruce entered the workforce and is best remembered as hostess at Ramada Inn and later, as receptionist for Dr. George Walker, longtime Starkville ophthalmologist. She was a member of the Starkville church of Christ and attended the church of Christ services at Henderson (TN) Health and Rehabilitation Center where she was a resident at her death.
Mrs. Bruce endured many hardships during her lifetime and emerged from them all as a self-sufficient and independent woman. She is best remembered for her happy smile and determined spirit. Her children recognize with grateful hearts the sacrifices she made so that each of them would prosper.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Sanford O. Bruce, Sr., two sons, Sanford O. “Lanny” Bruce, Jr. of Memphis, TN, and Michael D. “MB” Bruce, of Starkville, a granddaughter, Allison Paige Bruce of Madison, MS, her brother, Joseph Bright of Starkville and her sister, Mildred Bright Nagle of Middlesboro, KY.
Mrs. Bruce is survived by her children, Sandra Bruce Highers (Alan) of Henderson, TN, Don P. Bruce (Peggy) of Madison, MS and Deborah Bruce Phillips-Hurst (George) of Hernando, MS; her daughter-in-law, Donna Bruce Sigler of Atoka, TN; a sister, Nan Nelle Bright Gillis of Starkville; her grandchildren, Andra H. Hurst (Greg) of Houston, TX, Kim H. Poston (Greg) of Henderson, TN, Todd Bruce (Julia) and Jeffrey Bruce (Carrie) of Madison, MS, Sanford O. “Trey” Bruce (Edith) of Meriden, CT, Trisha Bruce Kessler of Hernando, MS, Micah Bruce Phillips of Tuscaloosa, AL and Matthew A. Phillips (Lacee) of Oxford, AL; her great grandchildren, Alexandra H. Toline (Morgan) of Arlington, TN, Arianna Hurst of New York, NY, Graham and Annsley Poston of Henderson, TN, Alianne, Katie and Harrison Bruce of Madison, MS, Sanford O. “IVan” and Bodhi Bruce of Meriden, CT, Brad and Parker Bruce Kessler of Hernando, MS and one great, great granddaughter, Harper Grace Toline of Arlington, TN.
The family is grateful to the heroes on staff at Henderson Health and Rehabilitation Center in Henderson, TN.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association in her name as both heart attack and cancer impacted her life.
There will be a private family graveside service at the Starkville Memorial Gardens in Starkville, MS.
Shackelford Funeral Directors of Henderson
