Bernice (Grizzle) Bruce

Bernice Bruce, 92, passed away peacefully at home March 7^th after a brief encounter with cancer and her decision to go be with God instead.

 

Bernice found great joy in life’s events both great and small, from reveling in her children, grandchildren, great (and great-great) grandchildren to her many trips with family and friends to simply basking in the afternoon sun.  She was equal parts family matriarch, loving wife and mother, avid reader, and gospel aficionado.  Although always comfortable at home, Bernice would go to the beach in a moment’s notice. Nothing brought her greater pleasure than the giving of a great gift, an afternoon of bridge or spades or an extra pat of butter on her cornbread.  She relished her humble upbringing and the wonderful futures she shaped for her children and their families.

 

Beautiful inside and out, her countenance was the very image of love and her expressions of love for church, family and community define her for all who knew her.

 

Born in Lumpkin County, Bernice lived in Hall County for most of her life. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Cora Thomas Grizzle.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church and the Joy Sunday School Class.

 

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Randall A. and Ramona Bruce; daughters and sons-in-law,  Charlotte and Frank Castleberry; Cindy and David Bryant, all of Gainesville; Grandchildren, Eddie and Monica Castleberry, Pisa, Italy, Elizabeth Coleman, Connie and Patrick Morgan, Shirley and Russell Fuller, Isaac and Kimberly Castleberry, Robin and Russ McEver, Denise and Jimbo Wilkins, Trey Hinderscheid, all of Gainesville; Loran and Cortnei Bruce, Atlanta, Emily and Lloyd Mullins, Johnson City, TN, Charlie, Nolen and Adeline Bryant, Gainesville.  Great grandchildren, Amy Coleman, Kristina Gotz, Matilde Castleberry, CJ Talley, Olivia McEver, Millie, Alice, and James Wilkins, Cassidy and Crockett Mullins.  Great great grandchildren; Amelia Taylor, Roslyn and Ryker Hodges, Ellen Gotz, and Noah, Hunter and JB Castleberry and special nieces, Raedelle Smith, Dorothy Garrett and Linda Cornett.

 

Bernice is preceded in death by her  husband, Charles Alton Bruce, and daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Bill Hinderscheid.

 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday March 10, 2018 in the chapel of First Baptist Church on Green Street.  Dr. Bill Coates will officiate.  Interment will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at Little & Davenport Funeral Home Friday March 9, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the Ministry of Caring at First Baptist Church, 751 Green Street, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 in memory of Mrs. Bruce.

 

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

 

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 is in charge of arrangements.