Monna Rae Bruce

Monna Rae Bruce was born 12/13/1933 while the dust storms were still rolling across the panhandle of Oklahoma and bread was 18 cents a loaf.

She was born in Tyrone, Oklahoma to Katie and Fred Ballard. She married Glendel Bruce June 6, 1954 two years after they graduated from Tyrone High School. They moved to Amarillo, Texas, then Lubbock, then Plainview, then Wichita Falls and on to Abilene, Texas where they made a home with their 3 children and resided since 1968.

Monna Rae graduated from Abilene Christian College in 1974 and taught second grade at Taylor Elementary for 20 years. She had an avid interest in artistic endeavors, reading, cross word puzzles and teaching women about the practicalities of being a woman in the stories of the Bible.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Glendel Bruce, her parents, Katie and Fred Ballard, her sister, Robbie Winter, and her brother, Clyde Ballard.

In her words....

She is the proud and passionate mother of three children, and by extension, 3 children in laws:

Randa Bruce Gonzales was the most beautiful baby Monna Rae had ever seen and is her heart, along with her husband, Henry Gonzales.

Philip LeRay Bruce is her rock and soul along with his wife, Deborah Bruce.

Leslie Dean Bruce has been her constant joy and consistent honey doer along with his wife, Jamie Bruce.

She is the proud gramma of seven:

Lacy Bruce

Erik Bruce Gonzales and his wife, Leah Bruce Gonzales

Katy Bruce

Cory Bruce

Jake Bruce Gonzales

Hannah Bruce Samuels and her husband, Tom Samuels

Alex Anne Azlan and her husband, Akmal Azlan

And she has 8 beloved great grandchildren:

Jaxon Bruce

Weylin Bruce Gonzales

Brody Bruce Gonzales

Emma Bruce

Jazzilyn Maxanne Bruce

Kason Bruce Gonzales

Noah Azlan

Judith Azlan

She is survived by her brother who is precious to her, Arnold Ballard.

Visitation will be 5pm to 7pm Thursday January 30, 2025 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home.

Funeral Service will be 1:00pm Friday January 31, 2025 at Hwy 36 Church of Christ in Dudley, Texas, and is to be officiated by Greg Melton. Burial will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park. Arrangements are The Hamil Family Funeral Home 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd. Abilene, Texas 79606.

Pallbearers are Erik Bruce Gonzales, Cory Bruce, Jake Bruce Gonzales, Jaxon Bruce, Akmal Azlan and Tom Samuels.