Retha Mae Wagoner Bruce, 84, West Iredell-Statesville, N.C., went to be with the Lord on December 10, 2019.

Mrs. Bruce was born January 1, 1935, in Wilkes County to the late Ernest Freeman and Fanny Maryann Wagoner. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by two daughters, Retha Diann and Tammy Marie Bruce; two sisters, Florence Jarvis and Emmer Brown; and three brothers, Dollie, Lonnie and Arvis Wagoner.

Retha was retired from Beauty Maid Mills, where she had worked for a number of years as a seamstress. It was there she realized her love of sewing, and often made quilts and gave them to others. She was also a great cook and people loved her biscuits and gravy. Square dancing was also something she enjoyed. Mrs. Bruce was the rock of her family and loved them all very much.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Houston Edwin Bruce; daughter, Sandra (Barry) Moose; son, Ricky (Kelly) Bruce; four grandchildren, Christina (Craig) Reel, Barry Moose Jr., Shane (Elizabeth) Bruce, and Jeremy Bruce; five great-grandchildren, Cameron (Brittany) Moose, Brooklyn Moose, Chandler Reel, Carolina Bruce and Dalton Bruce; two great-great-grandchildren, Aiden McMenamin and Cade Moose; two sisters, Gladys Fesperman and Annie Ruth Teague; one brother, Freeman Wagoner; and many other loving family members.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, December 14, 2019, at 2 p.m. in the Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Travis Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will visit with friends from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to the Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625.

Fond memories and condolences may be sent to www.nicholsonfunerals.com. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the Bruce family.