Mary Austin

Mary Bruce, 92, of Charlotte, NC, passed away peacefully at home of natural causes, 4/1/21, surrounded by loving family holding her hands, praying, and singing Christian hymns.

She was born in Croft, NC on December 20, 1928.

Mary Bruce loved working at Southern Bell, but at the request of her precious husband, Ernest, gave up her career after the birth of their first-born, Clarence W.   She was an amazing home-maker, working tirelessly, cooking 3 meals/day, canning, freezing, sewing beautiful clothes for her family, and supporting Ernest on their family farm. When hiring seasonal help with crops, all were welcome to share her dinner table, enjoying a delicious home cooked meal, which included an array of southern foods, always biscuits from scratch, and Mary Bruce’s special apple cobbler or chocolate pound cake. In her Sr years, she loved volunteering at Novant Health Charlotte Orthopedic Hospital, creating many beautiful flower arrangements for their Gift Shop.

Over the years, Mary Bruce loved her Newell Baptist church family, teaching children’s Sunday School and singing beautiful soprano in her church choir.  Her Christian roots were evident in her approach to life, learning important lessons from her parents, and passing those lessons on to her children, grand-children, great-grandchildren, and everyone she encountered. She taught all to “do your best, look your best, work like it depends on you, pray like it depends on God, and above all, be grateful, and count your blessings.”

Mary Bruce’s prayer life was an example for all; many reached out to her frequently for special intercessory prayer, knowing that she had a “direct line to God.” She faithfully read her Bible daily and prayed “without ceasing.” She was a beloved friend to many, with others claiming her as their “adopted” Mom or Mamaw; she truly was the “Mom everyone wanted.”
Mary Bruce was a giver; freely giving unconditional love, prayers, encouragement, & special cooked meals; she loved giving gifts, and sending cards & flowers. When talking to others, she always asked how they were doing.  She had a knack for decorating and kept a clean, neat, beautifully decorated home, teaching her family to “always make up your bed, with zero wrinkles, and pillows placed perfectly.”  She looked her best, even in her last days; with make-up, lipstick, earrings, perfectly groomed hair, and a beautiful Mani/Pedi, which Tiffany and Hannah-Grace enjoyed providing!

Mary Bruce loved everyone!  After the death of her beloved husband, she lived alone several years, then moved to Willow Grove Sr apts, & as she declined, to The Laurels Assisted Living, & then returned to her home in the Back Creek Community. Although a back injury created great pain, her determination to walk and remain independent was a testimony to her zeal for life.  Her 11 months spent in isolation due to Covid was very difficult. Her family would like to thank “K” who referred to her as “Ma Mary”, and Ashley, her Hospice RN, who cared for her physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. A special thank-you to Greg Pena (grand son-in-law), Tiffany, Adam, and Hannah-Grace, who moved Mary Bruce home 1/27/21, and cared for her during some of her most difficult days. All of her family will miss the multiple phone calls received, sometimes as many as 10 - 15 in one hr; she often explained her phone “magically” dialed those she loved dearly!  Truly, she often just wanted to hear family’s voice and to say, “I love you, how are you doing?” No matter the time of day or night, she was always ready to talk on the phone, and it became her connection to the outside world during the pandemic.

Predeceased by her husband, Ernest, son CW, son-in-law Dennis Adkins, parents, Clarence & Alma Hucks, sisters Louise Whitlow, Rosa Davis, Nancy Cook, Betty Irvin, and many other beloved family members and friends, and survived by her daughters & their husbands Donna and Lane Seaford II, Myra & JC Plott Jr, grandchildren Jamie (Scott), Aaron, Beth (Travis), Tiffany (Greg), Lane (Monica), Michella (Ariel), John David; great-grandchildren Sam, Adam, Kayla, Kenzie, Hannah-Grace, Lily, Jeriah, Layla, Shaylin, Ezra, Eliana, Lydia, Lane IV, Aniyah, Nehemiah, sister Gwen Monteith, special nieces Beverly, Judy, Janette, Susan & others, and dear friends Shirley, Tommy, & Tina.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.  Donations to honor Mary Bruce may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Charlotte, Levine & Dickson Hospice House in Huntersville, Independence Hill Baptist Church in Huntersville, NC, or Newell Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg is serving the Austin family.