Lella was born in Birmingham, Alabama on December 12, 1932 to Mr. & Mrs. Charles Trueheart Clayton. She and her late husband, Frank Hardy Bromberg, Jr., met at Ramsey High School and were married for almost 65 years. Lella attended the University of Alabama, where she received The Alumni Student Award and was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority.
The Cathedral Church of the Advent was an essential part of Lella’s life. Lella found great joy in serving the Advent, including as the first Female Junior Warden, as President of Women of the Church, and as a member of the Vestry and of the Stewardship Committee. She made homemade mayonnaise for Lenten Lunches and served as a Lenten lunch waitress for many years.
Lella was a person of action. She was the Founding President of UAB’s O’Neal Cancer Center Advisory Board. She was also the Founding President of the Board of Visitors of the School of Nursing at UAB. In addition, she served as President of the Junior League of Birmingham, President of the Linly Heflin Unit, President of the Joy Garden Tour in Cashiers, North Carolina, President of the Birmingham chapter of Colonial Dames, Regent of the Highland Book Club, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Friends of Alabama Heritage, the Women’s Committee of 100 for Birmingham, the Bookmarkers Book Club, the Grapevine Garden Club, the Birmingham Country Club, and Harlequins, Maskers and Vanities.
Lella was extraordinary. She was genuine and spoke with a unique sincerity. She was fun-loving, strong-willed, quick-witted, funny, and spirited. Paraphrasing her late father, “you wanted Lella on your side.” Her loyalty, class, elegance, compassion, and sincere concern for others made her a role model for some and a friend to many. She loved Alabama athletics, her Bible study, as well as needlepoint, bridge, reading, knitting, and gardening. Lella also loved spending time at her home in Cashiers, North Carolina. She adored keeping her grandchildren, and doted on her great-grandchildren.
Lella is survived by four children, Frank Hardy Bromberg, III; Charles Clayton Bromberg (Christy) of Jacksonville, Florida; Frederick (“Ricky”) Wilkinson Bromberg (Nancy); and Lella Bromberg Wilbanks (Bruce) of Nashville, Tennessee. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Charles Clayton Bromberg, Jr. (Robin); Frederick (“Wil”) Wilkinson Bromberg, Jr. (Katie); Anne Hayden Orme (Michael); Margaret (“Mallie”) Russell Bromberg; Frances Hardy Bromberg; Bruce (“Bo”) Ogletree Wilbanks, Jr.; and Alice Kirkland Wilbanks. She is also survived by three great grandchildren - Zoë Dylan Bromberg, Charles (“Charlie”) Clayton Bromberg, III, and William Hardy Orme - and was eagerly awaiting the upcoming arrival of her fourth great grandchild. Lella is also survived by her brother, Charles Clayton, Jr. (Louise), her sister, Trueheart Carl (Morton), and many loving nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by grandchildren Virginia McMillian Bromberg, Elizabeth Bromberg Wilbanks, and Zoë Proferis Bromberg.
Lella’s family would like to thank Dr. Allen Yeilding, Susanna Garrido, Paulina Martinez, America Gonzalez, and Tammy Saunders for their invaluable friendship and loving care.
The Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, May 17, 2021 at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, with visitation immediately following the service in Clingman Commons at the Advent.
Memorials in Lella’s honor may be directed to: The Cathedral Church of the Advent, 2017 6th Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203; or the Linly Heflin Unit, 13 Office Park Drive, Suite 8, Birmingham, Alabama 35223.
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