Marie Hayes Bruce

Mrs. Marie Hayes Bruce, age 96 of Willacoochee, Ga. passed away Wednesday, June 07, 2017 at Berrien Nursing Center in Nashville, Ga. following an extended illness.   Born June 21, 1920, Mrs. Bruce was the daughter of Clarence and Annie Belle Hayes. She had made her home in Willacoochee, Ga. for most of her life. She was a member of the Willacoochee Holiness Baptist Church. Mrs. Bruce worked at Nashville Textile in addition to being a homemaker. Mrs. Bruce was preceded in death by three of her sons, Charles Bruce, Harold Bruce, and Harry Bruce, three of her brothers, Rufus Hayes, Carroll Hayes, and Marcus Hayes, and three of her sisters, Leola Ritch and Clara Belle Cribb.   Survivors include: Daughter: Annette Bruce of Willacoochee, Ga.   Son: Emory Bruce and wife Tula of Willacoochee, Ga.   3 Brothers: Horace Hayes and wife Jane of Pearson, Ga.                   Gerald Hayes and wife Sharon of Pearson, Ga.                    Dorman Hayes and wife Helen of Eustis, Fl.   3 Sisters: Odell Tucker of Alapaha, Ga.                  Bonell Miller of Eustis, Fl.                  Maxine Green of Leesburg, Fl.   11 Grandchildren, 20 Great Grandchildren, and 12 Great-Great Grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives also survive.   Funeral Services for Mrs. Bruce were held Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. at St. Luke Baptist Church with Rev. David Rowe and Rev. Harold Barnes officiating. Special music included “Beautiful Home” and “What a Day That Will Be” rendered by The Soles Family. The interment followed in the St. Luke Baptist Church Cemetery.   Serving as active pallbearers were Ryan Cribb, Hayward Cribb, Jeff Chavis, Harold Dillingham, Roy Stone, and DeWayne Paulk.   Relihan Funeral Home in Pearson, Ga. was in charge of the arrangements.