Phyllis Lorraine Bruce

On April 5th, 2023, the first evening of Passover, Phyllis Lorraine Bruce (Blaylock), 73, of Arlington, Washington, peacefully departed this world while sleeping. After a long struggle with COPD and short battle with small cell carcinoma, she is now at rest in the hands of God.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, her parents, and older sister.

• Husband: Vernon Joseph Bruce. 1945 Walhalla, ND - 2017 Everett, WA. • Father: Melvin Marlen Blaylock. 1924 Hartford, AR – 1990 San Francisco, CA. • Mother: Dorothy Norene Blaylock (Bachhofer). 1925 Blum, TX – 2011 Orangevale, CA. • Sister: Shirley Ann Blaylock. 1947 Albany, CA – 2019 Rocklin, CA.

She is survived by her 5 children, 3 grandchildren, younger sister and 8 nieces and nephews.

1) Son: David Carl Olson (Harper) 2) Daughter: Faith Lorraine Gibson (Olson) [Aaron James Gibson] Grandson: Peter Nehemiah Gibson (12 yrs) 3) Son: Peter Verner Olson 4) Son: Benjamin Erik Olson [Kathy Suzanne Olson (Wiktorowicz)] Grandson: Tanner David Olson (23 yrs) 5) Son: Jonathan Calmer Olson Granddaughter: Camille Sunshine Olson (14 yrs)

• Sister: Beverly Kay Miller (Blaylock) [Gary Richard Miller]

Phyllis Lorraine Blaylock was born on February 12th, 1950 in San Francisco, California and grew up in South San Francisco. She has resided in Arlington, Washington since 1986. On September 1, 2007, she married Arlington resident Vernon Bruce, a USMC veteran. They both were patriotic and longtime members of the Arlington American Legion, Post 76. Throughout her life, Phyllis was exceptionally artistic and creative, thoughtful and generous. She loved to watch her kids converse, laugh and tell stories. Her steadfast faith and love of God was her lifelong foundation. She was non-denominational Protestant but had at various times been both a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri-Synod and the Assemblies of God.

Phyllis was generous and regularly donated to the following organizations:

The American Legion (Post 76), Arlington, WA American Red Cross of Snohomish Co, Everett, WA Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Bethesda, MD Everett Gospel Mission, Everett, WA The Gideon’s International, Nashville, TN St Joseph’s Indian School, Chamberlain SD (Lakota / Sioux)

We want to thank our families and friends for all the love, comfort and support you have given. Thank you to Weller Funeral Home of Arlington, Washington (Kelcie), and McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood, Arkansas (Amy).

Viewing was held Friday, April 14 from 12 - 4 p.m. at Weller Funeral Home in Arlington, Washington. A graveside memorial service was held 10 a.m., Friday, May 5 at West Harmony Cemetery, Poteau Mountain Road, in Hartford, Arkansas.

Phyllis and her husband, Vernon Bruce, will be resting together in her family's small, historic cemetery.