Jean Bruce

Jean, born in 1944, dedicated her life to her family, writing/publishing, political activism, civil and women's rights while enhancing the world with beauty.

She spent her formative years in numerous Alabama towns including Selma, Alabama where she met her husband Bill of 63 years and gave birth to Kimalynn in 1964. After moving to Columbus, Georgia she gave birth to Micheal in 1967. In 1968, Jean was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Although the disease was at times debilitating, Jean contributed greatly to helping Bill complete his masters at Auburn University by assisting in writing his dissertation and laying the foundation for their careers in education. Within the next few years Jean continued expanding her knowledge of education and teaching, she sacrificed furthering her own education by committing herself as a wife, mother and the support of others.

During public school she participated in musical productions, glee club, chorus, track,

and basketball.

Jean’s passion for writing came at an early age when a poem she wrote at age eight was published. In the mid-seventies she began writing a novel, an autobiography and continued to write poetry. In 1980 she purchased her first PC where she programmed and edited word processing programs. Soon after Jean wrote a poem “Rain, I Recon” which was published in “The New Renaissance” Vol. VIII, No.1 a literary magazine (Spring #24). In the years to come Jean founded her own publishing company “Home Tree Media”, where she wrote and published seven educational texts, numerous articles and contributed to documentaries. In the late 90’s Jean was an early pioneer in e-books while publishing works on CD on a new platform called Amazon.

Jean’s political career started in 1975 with volunteering in Jimmy Carter’s campaign for President as a member of the “Peanut Brigade.” In the 1980s she was campaign manager for multiple candidates in South Carolina and national seats, including Charles “Pug” Ravenel, Liz Paterson and Richard Riley. Being a humanitarian and “Yellow Dog Democrat,” Jean continued supporting Democratic candidates throughout her life. While living in Spartanburg, South Carolina Jean was president of the County N.O.W, helped organizations feed the impoverished and elderly. She was a lifelong member of many environmental organizations. For fifty-seven years Jean battled Multiple Sclerosis overcoming partial blindness, paralysis, organ failure and pain while continuing to improve her health through diet and exercise, Somehow, the disease didn’t slow her down as she accomplished many things and was recognized by many organizations and receiving awards for her talents and contributions including:

Spartanburg, South Carolina’s Sesquicentennial “Woman of the Year”

Who’s who of American Women (1989-1990)

Finalist in L. Ron Hubbard’s Literary contest

Women of the Week, Tyler, TX 1999

Jean’s legacy will live on through the gardens she built, the hundreds of trees she planted as well as advocating for local, national and world wide environmental protection projects.

Jean’s life will always be remembered by her surviving family as a model of love and the will to live.

“Rain, I Recon”.