Clemontine Bruce

Clemontine Bruce, 94, of Freeport, IL passed away peacefully on Monday, April 17, 2017, surrounded by her family and friends. Clemontine was born October 9, 1922 in Lexington Mississippi, daughter of Anthony and Fannie (Parker) Jones, Sr. Clemontine granduated from Lexington High School in 1940. She later moved to Freeport, IL where she met her husband, Arthur Bruce, Jr, they were united in marriage in 1943; in their union of marriage they raised one son, Dennis Bruce, whom they cherished dearly. Clemontine worked at Newell Rubbermaid, where she retired after working many years at Newell Rubbermaid Company. Clemontine enjoyed attending church and was a faithful member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church of Freeport. She loved helping out at the church in the kitchen, and enjoyed being in the company of her family and friends. She was also well known for her riddles and her ability to tell jokes, she loved to make people laugh. She also took pleasure in hosting the Bruce Love BBQ dinners at her home. She loved and treated the Bruce Family as if they were her own, if someone called she was always there to help out and lend a helping hand. She also enjoyed playing cards and going to Bingo. Anyone who knew Clemontine knows how special her grandchildren and great grandchildren were to her. Surviving are one son, Dennis (Lula) Bruce of Freeport, IL; four grand-daughters, Angela (Gary) Thompson of Carpentersville IL, Denise (Fernando) Johnson, Annette (James) Cooley, of Freeport IL, and Jacquiline (Kevin) Cooley of Cinncinnati OH, one nephew James (Lashun) Rhyne of Freeport IL, and one niece, Necie (Brian Harrell of Chicago IL. She also has 9 great grandchildren, Kyrell Bruce, Kyasia Bruce, Raekwon Cooley, Raven Bruce, Rayshon Cooley, Raylon Cooley, Mariah Coffee, Madelyn Cooley and Kevin Cooley Jr. She als leaves two specials sister in laws Elizabeth Furdge and Carolyn (Janet) Bruce and two special friends, Paula Broege and Rozalyn Dunson and a host of other family and friends. Clemontine was preceded in death by her parents, Anthony & Fannie Jones Sr.; her husband, Arthur Bruce Jr., brother, Anthony James Jr., sister Ermma Rhyne, a very special niece, Jewel Dunson and great-grandchild, Phillip Jackson and special cousin Fannie Maude Armstrong. Funeral Services will be 3:00 P.M. Saturday April 22, 2017 at St. Paul missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Anton Funches officiating. Visitation will be from 1:30 P.M. until the time of service at the church. Burial will be in Freeport City Cemetery. A memorial has been established in her memory.