Since October 2024, Ethel Bruce and family walked through a season filled with love, dedication, teamwork, faith, and patience. The final chapter was the hardest of all for Ethel. Her beautiful light may have dimmed for a long while, but it never went out. We fought beside her, cared for her, prayed for her, and loved her through every moment until her earthly body could no longer carry the strength of her spirit.

Brother Charles Stanley often preached about patience and waiting on the Lord. Ethel Burns, the Cajun, as Frank always called her, was never known for patience, but in the end, she waited faithfully. And God gave her the desire of her heart — He brought her home to be reunited with Frank.

Ethel was born in a white house on a hill in Dubach, Louisiana, to her parents John Henry Dunlap and Vivian Lee Dunlap who preceded her in death. Ethel was also proceeded in death by her beloved husband, Frank T. Bruce Jr.; her siblings, John H. Dunlap, Clarence H. Dunlap, Dovie Dunlap, Clara Mae Christine, and Son-in-law Jimmy Rogers.

She leaves behind a family who loved her dearly: Sister-in-law Vonda Ross; Children Barbara Bruce Rogers; Terry Bruce Trammell and husband Tommy Trammell; and Robert Bruce and wife Christen Reid Bruce.

She was a proud grandmother to Trisha Thompson and husband Paul Thompson, Tex Trammell, Bill Rogers and wife Ashley Rogers, Devon Bruce, and Josh Bruce and wife Koven Bruce.

She was also blessed with great-grandchildren Avery Bruce and Gunner Rogers, along with numerous nieces and nephews who will forever cherish her memory.

Ethel was a dedicated nurse. She got her nursing degree at the age of 45 and always preached to others that it is never too late to pursue your desires. She worked at Marshall Memorial as a Payroll Clerk and a registered nurse. She was also a surgical nurse for Dr. Marvin and Dr. Kenny Hall of Marshall, Texas.

Ethel was a woman with many talents and careers. She was a lady full of knowledge, some useful, some not. Her wittiness was always on point.  No one could hold a candle to Sassy Ethel.

Her favorite motto: There's no better time to do something than tomorrow. However, Ethel was not very good at procrastinating anything!  She was a nonstop business woman ready as soon as her feet hit the floor. She was amazing and anyone who knew her was blessed.

Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort knowing her suffering has ended and her reunion in Heaven has begun. Her love, strength, and unwavering spirit will live on through every life she touched.

Ethel Burns Dunlap Bruce will be laid to rest with her husband at graveside services on Friday, May 29, 2026 at 1:00 pm at Colonial Gardens Cemetery in the Mausoleum.

If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

·        St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

·        Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, PO BOX 203.  Choudrant, LA 71227

or any organization of your choice, as Ethel faithfully supported many organizations that were close to her heart.

Special thanks to HeartsWay Hospice and Comfort Keepers in Home Care for taking wonderful care of her needs each and every day.   Those ladies went above and beyond making sure that she was taken care of and comfortable at all times.