Clara Bruce

Funeral services for Clara Bruce, 78 of Bayliss, CA, will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 6, 2009 in the Chapel of Brusie Funeral Home. Clara passed away on October 31, 2009 in Chico, after a courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer. She was born on November 11, 1930 in Sterling City, CA to Ruben and Queen Stenton. She married Carlton J. Bruce, Sr. on July 24, 1949. He preceded her in death on October 15, 1990. Her parents, Ruben and Queen owned and operated the Paradise Bakery located on Almond Street in Paradise, CA until her fathers death. Clara, as a native of Paradise, attended grammar school in Paradise and graduated from Chico High School in 1949. Throughout her life, she was devoted to her work as a wife, mother and homemaker. She and her husband, Carlton and their 4 daughters permanently moved to Bayliss in 1961 from the Bay area to work with his parents, Jessie and Allen Weems in the farming of rice in Bayliss, CA. On June 30, 1970, Clara and Carlton gave birth to their son, Carlton J. Bruce, Jr. She was actively involved as a member of the Jacinto Grange and the Native Daughters of the Golden West, holding many offices throughout the years. Clara loved to travel. She loved animals, gardening was her most loved outside hobby. She is survived and forever loved by one son, Carlton J. Bruce, Jr.; four daughters, Andria (Gene) Gibert, Susan Ward, Terisa (Timothy) Green, and Cheryl Jamee (Dudley) Warner of Raleigh, North Carolina; nine grandchildren, Valerie Stiles, Rebecca Gilbert, Sam Ward, Nathan (Crystal) Ward, Matthew Ward, Kevin Ward, Dannie Myers, and Rauny Green; five great- grandchildren, Tyler Brueck, Trinity Stiles, Cassidy Ward, Xylea Ward and Rozyln Ward. A grandchild, Jesse Myers and two brothers, Charles Stenton and Frank Stenton preceed her in death. Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2009 from 5-8 p.m. at Brusie Funeral Home. Memorial contributions can be made in her memory to Enloe Hospice. Clara will be laid to rest at Glen Oaks Memorial Park in Chico.