Mary Bruce

Mary Elizabeth Ivy Bruce, born July 27, 1933, in the town of Piper, Bibb County, AL to Barney E. Champion and Loraine A. Dailey, went home to be with the Lord, surrounded by her family on March 15, 2024. She leaves behind a loving family: Children, Sharon Erwin(Bobby), Wanda Harrell, Amy Henson(Paul), Pattie Truitt(Wes), Jim Ivy(Donna), Beth Teate(Joe); Grandchildren Lindsay(Jeffrey), Lauren(Amary), Misty(John), Janna(Randy), Jason(Alyson), Ashley(Taylor), Erin(Zeb), Rustin(Emily), Ivy(Braden), Josh, Erica, Davis, Daley(Patrick), Mandy(Trenton), and Maggie; and 14 Great Grandchildren. Mary is predeceased by her parents, her first husband James H. Ivy, her husband Thomas M. Bruce, son Joseph M. Bruce and brother Barney E. Champion, Jr. (Martha). She is survived by her sister Barbara Middlebrooks Holsomback(Bill). Mary graduated from West Blockton High School in 1951, she earned a two-year degree from the University of Montevallo in 1953 and after starting a family went back to school and graduated from Samford University, where she earned a degree in Elementary Education and started teaching at Going Elementary School. After her first husband passed away, she married Tom Bruce and together they joined families with seven children. Mary soon became known as "Mibby" to her family and friends and "Bibby" to some of her grandkids. She loved her family with all her heart, she loved to cook and later in life used it as a ministry to help those in need. She loved to play cards and dominoes, travel with their motorhome group of Alabama fans, family vacations at the beach, being together at holidays and visiting friends and family. Mibby was a long-time member of Huffman Baptist Church and currently an active member of the Samuel class at Hunter Street Baptist Church, where she was a mentor to young women. Mibby loved her Creekside card group and cherished their friendships. Mibby was a huge prayer warrior who read and studied her Bible every day, an avid Alabama fan, and her greatest joy was her legacy of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Visitation will be held at 10am with a memorial service to follow at 11am on Friday, March 22, at the Hunter Street Baptist Church Chapel.