Olive May Bruce
1937-2017
Mrs. Olive May Bruce formerly of Bromborough, Cheshire, England passed early Wednesday morning, April 12, 2017. May died at her family’s home, Mirimichi in Opelika, Alabama.
May was preceded in death by her husband, Homer S. Bruce and her grandson, Andrew Gates Bruce of Opelika. She was also preceded in death by her father, Charles Edmund Beattie; her mother, Olive Florence Clapham Hibbert and her brother, Brian Charles Edmund Beattie of England.
Mrs. Bruce is survived by her two sons and their families, Dr. Homer Sanford (Buddy) Bruce, his wife Cherry Smith Bruce and their sons, Matthew Blaine Bruce and Byron Andrew Bruce, all of Opelika, and her son Dr. William David Bruce, his wife Dr. Lisa Ann Smith and their sons, William Herschel Bruce, Henry David Bruce, and their daughters, Camilla and Alana, all of Chattanooga, TN. May is also survived by her sister, Valerie (Dave) Aukland, her sister-n-law Joan Beattie, her special cousin Irene Warhurst, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins in England.
May arrived in this country on July 7, 1956 from Liverpool, England on her way to Australia. She was visiting her lifelong friend from England, Thelma Maples and her husband, Wil Maples when she met Homer and decided to stay. Thelma became her childhood friend and neighbor in Bromburough after May and her family were relocated a few doors down following the German Blitz, “The Storm over the Mersey” which destroyed May’s family Liverpool home.
In 1971, May proudly swore an oath to become a citizen of the United States of America. Besides her love for her new country, May loved her animals; dogs, cats, birds, deer, and racoons. She also loved traveling and spending time with her friends, Sylvia Anderson and Theresa Haynes. May was Church of England by birth, a member of Emmanuel Episcopal when she first arrived in Opelika, and finally the First Baptist Church of Opelika, where she regularly attended Sunday school class. She dearly loved her fellow classmates.
In 1957, May saw her first Auburn football game and became a forever loyal fan. WDE!
The family wishes to thank Dr. Linda Farmer, Dr. John Cabelka, Dr. James Royal, Dr. Kelly Taylor, and their staff members for their excellent care. We are thankful for the care given over the years by EAMC and EAMC Rehabilitation Services. We would also like to send a special “thank you” to the staff of EAMC Compassus and especially to Pam, Julia, Alissa, and Sherry for their compassionate care and understanding.
Visitation will be held in the Parlor at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home Saturday, April 15, 2017 from 11:00 until 1:00 p.m.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, April 15, 2017 in the Chapel at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home at 1:30 p.m. A private burial to follow.
The family encourages donations to EAMC Cancer Center, First Baptist Church of Opelika, or to your favorite charity in lieu of flowers.
Frederick-Dean Funeral Home is directing.
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