Alicia R. Montes Bruce

My mother Alicia (meaning oath of God, derive from Elizabeth, Hebrew) Revueltas Montes, life began in Detroit, Michigan March 19, 1929, she was a twin, and her sister didn’t survive. Born to Juan (meaning gift from God, Hebrew) Garza Montes and his wife Ethel (meaning noble, Hebrew) Revueltas, mama family was Hispanic, and from Mexico. Our mother grew up during the depression and life was very hard for her and that of her sibling; her parents came to America early in their marriage and had five children. All are deceased, Oscar R. Montes, Armando R. Montes, Alicia R. Montes Bruce, Stella R. Montes Grandy, survived by Juanita R. Montes Davies the youngest sister. Our mother loved her family but had hard times growing up with them all and left the family early. Mama lied about her age so she could get a job during “World War 2”; she was an original “Rosie the Riveter”, and that led to her becoming a machinist throughout her life, she also worked as a waitress, laundress, which she hated. Mama claim to fame (she always wanted to be an actress or dancer, and as she told us the Revueltas her mother side were very famous people in Mexico, writer, poets, actors, actresses, dancers, and composer) she was a Go-go girl and danced for a living when she was laid off from work.

Mama was married twice and divorced; she gave birth to five children, Susie, Carolyn, Kathy, Thomas, and Holly. She loved each of us very much and worked so hard to make sure we had everything we needed to live a comfortable life, and spoil us each. Our mom didn’t want to raise us like her parents raised her, so she spoiled us with sweets, and all kind of goodies, with each child she made sure we knew she loved us and that we were all her favorites. Growing up with mom for each of us meant that when she would get off work she picked us up from the sitter. I know for Kathy and I growing up during the 50’s, we couldn’t wait for payday on Friday’s; she get home from work(midnight shift) tell us let her sleep for awhile; and my sister and I were bad and woke her up in less than an hour. She would get up get dressed and take us out to dinner at Woolworth, and the latest Disney movie. I know that when Thomas and Holly were little during the 70’s, she did the same thing for them. Then her two oldest grandson’s Matthew and Michael would go to grandma and she would do the same for them. She was a very loving mother, her one wish was that all her children would love each other, and be there for each other. I grew up knowing the importance of being the oldest, and carrying on her legacy among the family. I believe each of my sibling feel the same and each of us will honor her by loving each other the rest of our lives. Mama was such a loving grandmother and treated my older boys, Matthew and Michael like her own, my two younger boys didn’t know her as well because she moved to Texas, to be near my sister Kathy and her two girls, but Miles and Marcus knew a side of her in their older years, when she would come to stay with me and I went to work, Miles and Marcus would take her to Mexican food, she didn’t have much money but what she had she would give. My mom lived in Houston, Texas and was close to my sister Kathy, and her two daughters Amanda, and Cady; mom was finally happy to be near Kathy. My brother got married and had three children and mama helped raise Megan, Jonathan, and Sara. Mama along with Thomas, and his children eventually moved to Terre Haute, IN to be close to me; mama lived with my brother until her death. He was her caregiver for many years and they helped each other; mama was also the caregiver for her mentally challenged brother Armando until his death in 2005, they adored each other and would fight like cats and dogs, but they loved each other. Our mom carried the weight of her children that had problems and in spite of them she loved us, gave us her time and effort to keep us all together.

In closing mama loved the Lord and would freak out my sister Kathy when she would pray in her sleep, I know for a fact and so does my brother and sister’s that mama is in heaven with her parents, sister, brothers and her grandson Michael, whom I know took her by the hand and led her to God. We were all so blessed to have a mother that loved us and didn’t want anything from us but love, which we each gave gladly. Mama you are missed and there aren’t enough words to express how much we love you, as you use to say to us, I love you into eternity.

1Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient; love is kind, love is not jealous; is not proud; is not conceited; does not act foolishly; is not selfish; is not easily provoked to anger; keeps no record of wrongs; takes no pleasure in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth; love bears all things, believes all things; and endures all things.

Truly mama lived this verse in her own way for all of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Alicia R. Montes Bruce is survived by: Holly Noel Ginto Bruce; William and Susan Jo Sharpless; Matthew James, and Susan Lynn Sharpless; Miles Khrisopher Robert, Lisa Marie, and Mikayla Marie Sharpless; Marcus William Robert and Chelsea Elizabeth Sharpless; Kathy Jane Lehman; Amanda Alicia Lehman, Lucas Jacon Lehman; Cady Mary Elizbeth Lehman, Caden James, Lane Nichols, Isbella May Lynn; Thomas Vincent Freeman Bruce; Megan Michelle Louise Bruce, Kaden, Cleo, Rowan; Jonathan Michael Thomas Bruce; Sarah Michelle Cathline Bruce; Carolyn Sue Perron – deceased.