John Sterling Bruce went to be with our Heavenly Father on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, NC.  A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, September 16th at 11 am at Enon Baptist Church, 13607 N. Enon Church Road, Chester, Virginia.

John was a member of Enon Baptist Church since 2003 where he held many positions throughout the Church.    

To know John was to love John.  He was such a kind, loving and generous person that always wanted to help others.  

John’s final wishes included being a donor.  As stated by Duke University “Perhaps the greatest gift one can make is the selfless donation of one’s body to science for the betterment of mankind.”  John loved teaching and science and the Anatomical Gifts Program provides both and fulfills his wishes.  

John loved education, earning both a Bachelor of Science degree through the University of Richmond and a Master of Education degree through Virginia Commonwealth University early in life.  John was a science teacher to 8th grade students, and he was also a basketball coach during that time.  Later in life, he started his own Construction Company in 1999.  He retired in 2020, later moving to Emerald Isle, North Carolina.  

John was preceded in death by his parents, Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Robert S. Bruce, and Gaynelle Phillips Bruce.  

He is survived by his wife, Mary Harris Bruce; son, Ben (Wendy) Bruce; daughter; Ellen (Josh) Meador; daughter, Carrie (Lee) Mitchem; step-daughter, Stephanie (Tim) Johnson; step-son, Steven (Casie) Gilmer; sister, Bonnie (Tom) Mason; brother, Robert (Pat) Bruce; brother-in-law, Lester (Jessica) Harris; 9 grandchildren and many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.      

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of John Bruce to the LBDA Lewy Body Dementia Association at www.lbda.org (http://www.lbda.org/)

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