Betty Carol Bruce fell asleep in the arms of her Savior at her home on December 10, 2023. Betty grew up in Ardmore, OK. She graduated from Ardmore High School and attended the University of Oklahoma. Betty married James W. Bruce, Jr. in 1960. The two moved to Long Beach, California, for Jim to fulfill his Navy ROTC commitment. Harvard Business School took them from West to East Coast. Upon graduation, Jim and Betty settled in Oklahoma City, where they raised their two boys, Jay and John, and joined First Presbyterian Church.
During their 60-year marriage, Betty shined as the excellent wife described in Proverbs chapter 31 – a woman who fears the Lord and is worthy to be praised. She was the perfect helpmate for her husband (giving him the love and support that allowed him to pursue his passions in the worlds of business, art/music, and the Church) and a nurturing mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She is affectionately known as “BeBe” in the family.
Throughout her life, Betty pursued her passion to love and serve others, especially children of less fortunate means. In 1984, Betty began a volunteer program at First Presbyterian Church that she named SPARK (a clever acronym for “Summer Program of Arts and Reading for Kids”). SPARK has continuously served kids in the communities neighboring First Pres, and the program model has been adopted by other churches and organizations in the Greater Oklahoma City area. Betty loved to tutor young children and help them mature into young adults. For her work through SPARK, Betty was recognized in the 1989 class of honorees receiving the “5 Who Care” Award bestowed by Gannett Publishing and the KOCO TV network. In addition to SPARK, Betty helped launch a revitalization project in the Paseo neighborhood near First Presbyterian Church, delivered mobile meals, sang in the First Presbyterian choir, managed ABS Properties that housed her husband’s business, American Bank Systems, and was always willing to lend a helping hand to others in need. It’s no wonder that Betty’s passions and works inspired a Bruce Family phrase used by her grandchildren: “BeBe Strong”!
Betty was predeceased in death by her parents, Harold and Lois Coombs, her husband, James W. Bruce, Jr., and her grandson, John Cameron Bruce. She is survived by her sons, James W. Bruce, III, and wife Joni of Edmond, OK, and John C. Bruce and wife Sheryl of Western Springs, IL; four grandchildren, Ellen (Bruce) and husband, Tommy Duffy; Christopher Bruce; Ashley (Bruce) and husband, Mark Kamin; and Hannah Bruce; great granddaughter, Phoebe Duffy; along with many treasured friends and associates.
The family wishes to thank some special people who helped care for Betty the past three months: first and foremost, her close friend Aurora, along with caregivers Angelie, Lillian, Joseph, Helen, Kemi, Precious, Ayo and Jojo.
A public viewing will be held, Tuesday, Dec. 19th from 12-6 pm at Hahn Cook on Broadway Extension. A Committal Service will be held at 10 am on Wednesday, Dec. 20th at the Historic Chapel within Memorial Park Cemetery, 13313 N. Kelley Ave, OKC. A Service of Witness to the Resurrection and In Celebration of the Life of Betty Carol Bruce will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 1125 N.W. 25th St., Okla. City, on Wednesday, Dec. 20th at 11:00 am (this service will be streamed online and can be viewed by clicking the “Worship Live” link on First Presbyterian Church’s website at fpcokc.org). In lieu of flowers, the family hopes you will give a donation in Betty's name to SPARK c/o First Presbyterian Church of Oklahoma City.
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