Janie E. Bruce

Our mother was born on May 30, 1929 in Columbia, Alabama in a house next to the house her mother was born in. Both houses still stand today. She was the second of six children born to Shelby Burdeshaw Elliott and Wilma Stone Elliott. She lived with her family in and around Columbia until they moved to Columbus when she was a teenager. She graduated from Jordan Vocational High School with many friends that remained friends for life. As a young lady she entered the Miss Columbus Contest, while working as a pharmacy tech at Lane’s Drug Store downtown Columbus. Before they ever met our dad, Thomas Bruce, saw her walking down the street and told his brothers “That’s the girl I’m going to marry if she’ll have me.” They later met at church and were married on Christmas day 1948 when she was 19 years old. Daddy always said she was the best Christmas present he ever got.

They were fortunate enough to have three children who can say they never heard their parents argue. As a mother she was as good a friend as she was a mother. She was a great listener and knew how to be a good friend. Janie retired from SunTrust bank with 19 years of service. She was the owner of Saint Elmo Beauty Shop for 12 years. She was a member of Wynn-Brook Baptist Church, the Esther Sunday school group, and the Azalea Garden Club. She was a pink lady for Doctors Hospital and loved to entertain her card group. Janie and Tom loved music and dancing, as they were long time members of the Mr. and Mrs. Club. She enjoyed life and woke up with a smile on her face every morning eager to start the day. She was able to recognize family and friends until her stroke on September 4th.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her four brothers (Buddy, Jack, Walter Earl and Floyd) one sister Eleanor Harvel, her daughter-in-law Carmen Bruce and her grandson David Bruce. Left to mourn their loss are her daughters Bonnie Fitzpatrick (Jim) and Katherine Heath (Calvin), and her son tommy Bruce. Grandchildren: Blair Bruce, Shelby Fitzpatrick, Jackie Fitzpatrick, Jeff Heath (Katie), and Dusty Heath (Hope). Her first great-grandchild is on the way Robert Harrison Heath. Many thanks to the staff at Spring Harbor for the last 4 years, especially Kim Lamburtis. Many, many thanks to mom’s team at Columbus Hospice (Harriett, Christina, Debbie, China and Ted the singing Chaplin). Please believe you won’t know how great these people are until you need their assistance.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Monday, September 19, 2011 in the chapel of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, GA, 31907 with Reverend Charles Hays officiating. Interment will follow in Parkhill Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Please send flowers, mom loved flowers, however if you prefer, please make donations to Columbus Hospice, 7020 Moon Road, Columbus, GA 31909. Services officiated by Rev. Charles Hays.

Bonnie Bruce Fitzpatrick

Thomas Bruce

Katherine Bruce Heath