Dorothy Bruce

Dorothy Nell Bruce, 78, of Tampa, Fla., went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, in Gainesville, Fla. Born in Coffee, Ga., she was the daughter of Cloney and Carnell Boatwright. Step-daughter of Susie Boatwright.

She was the loving wife and is survived by her husband of 60 years, Jimmy Bruce; children, Janell (Ray Maxwell), Jerry Sr (Kari), and Joseph Sr (Denise); grandchildren, Jammie Grimsley, Jerry Bruce Jr. (Cortney), Jesse Grimsley, Joey Grimsley, Joseph Bruce Jr. (Mari) and Ashley Bruce; fourteen great-grandchildren. Proceeded in death by her granddaughter, Jessica Nicole Grimsley.

She retired from Hillsborough County School System, where she was a cafeteria aid for 27 years, most of those at Dowdell Junior HS. She was a foster mother for many years to hundreds of children, many who still call her their Mother. Visitation will be Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 9:00 a.m., funeral service at 10:00 a.m., both at Fowler Avenue Baptist Church. Burial will be at Hillsboro Memorial Gardens.