Savannah-Mr. Charles Maxwell Bruce, Sr., 85, died peacefully on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at his home surrounded by his family. He had suffered many years with complications of Alzheimer's disease.
Mr. Bruce was born on March 9, 1931 in Chula, GA where he was raised on a general farm. He attended junior college at Abraham Baldwin College in Tifton in 1954-1955. He received his B.S. Degree in Agriculture with a major in horticulture and a minor in plant breeding from the University of Georgia in 1957. His university honors include election to Alpha Zeta Phi Kappa Phi, and Phi Sigma. He worked as a farm superintendant at the University of Georgia from 1957-1960. He completed his Master of Science in 1961 with a major in horticulture. From September 1960 through May 1965 he was in charge of development and operations of Mr. Cason's Vegetable Garden at Calloway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA where he devoted production of some 450 varieties of fruits, and vegetables. He was also in charge of 105 acres of commercial fruit (65 muscadines, 30 pear, 3 blueberries and 6 ½ blackberries) He went to The Progressive Farmer in May of 1965 as Horticulture Editor. He served as chairman of Agriculture Communications Section ASAW. In 1978 he worked at the University of Georgia Extension Service as a Pecan Specialist in Tifton, GA until 1982. He then became the Superintendant of the Bamboo Farm in Savannah, GA. He retired in Savannah in September of 1996. He was preceded in death by his mother, Annie George, his father, Austin Bruce, his brothers, Ray and Norman Bruce.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Fletcher Bruce whom he was married to for 62 years; his three children, Charles Maxwell Bruce, Jr. (Kathy), Lynn Bruce Ball (Phillip), and Teresa Bruce; grandchildren, Jennifer Bruce Burns, Melissa Bruce Snyder, Hannah Ball Darling, Cameron Ball, Dakota Ball, Elijah Ball, and Marshall Sellars; four great-grandchildren; sister, Helen Lyons; several nieces, nephews, and long term care-giver, Jill Green.
The visitation will be on Friday from 12 noon until 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home with the Celebration of Life Service to follow at 1:30 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home.
Remembrances may be given to Silk Hope Baptist Church, 4929 Pineland Drive, Savannah, GA 31405.
Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Homes – West Chatham Chapel – 901 W. Hwy. 80 – Pooler, GA 31322 (912) 748-2444