Mrs. Sandie Bruce

Sandra Faye Hinderliter Bruce was born March 16, 1944, in Waynoka, Oklahoma. She graduated from Portales High School in New Mexico in 1962, and went on to graduate from Gulf Coast Bible College (now Mid-America Christian University) with a Bachelor of Science in music and Bible with a minor in Christian Education. This was the fertile garden out of which her lifetime of ministry blossomed. Affectionately known as Sandie, she spent her adult years as a pastor’s wife, church pianist, organist, vocalist, church secretary, overseer of children’s, youth, and adult ministries, and youth choir director at Fourth Street Church of God in Madera, CA. In 1992, she moved to Florence, MS, as the wife to the president of Wesley College, and was the Director of Admissions, Public Relations, and Alumni Relations, as well as choir director, and chapel pianist & vocalist until 1999 when a massive brain tumor was discovered. Upon removal, she was left with brain damage and was almost completely blind. She and Sam moved into full time traveling ministry for the next 20-plus years until her health would no longer permit it. Through all this trauma, she never lost her faith in God, her sincere heart of praise to God, or her desire to minister to others. She loved the mountains, spicy food, nail polish, spending time with her family, music, and going to church. Some people go to church to be filled up, but Sandie loved going to church because it was one of the places where she poured herself out. She was a representation of the truth that you can’t refill something that hasn’t already been emptied. Sandie is preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd & Betty Hinderliter, and her parents-in-law, Walter & Lois Bruce. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Dr. Sam Bruce; son-in-law & daughter, Tim & Janelle Bond, son-in-law & daughter, Erik & Janette Bock; grandchildren, Allen Bond, Austin Bond, Kelsey Bock, Caleb Bock; great granddaughters, Eryn & Rinoa Bond, all of Florence, MS; stepmother, Maxine Hinderliter, of Clovis, NM; brother & sister-in-law, Richard & Janet Hinderliter of Las Cruces, NM; nephews, Justin Hinderliter of Glen Burnie, MD & Justin Hardin of San Diego, CA; brother-in-law & sister, John & Rhonda Mallory, and nieces & nephew, Shannon, Heather, & Russell Mallory, all of Cordova, AK; aunt, Jackie Hinderliter of Clovis, NM; a host of cousins; brother-in-law & sister, Tom & Mary Fuller; brother & sister-in-law, Bill & Eunice Bruce; nephews, nieces, and great-nephews, Matt Fuller & Cheris Fuller, Brandon, Rylan, & Zayden Fuller, Penny Fuller, and Nicholas Tant. Sandie lived out her favorite Scripture on a daily basis - Psalm 118:24, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” She was well-known for her consistent reply to the question, “How are you?”, as she would answer with faith and confidence, “I’m blessed by the Best.” The visitation will begin at 2:00 pm, and the Celebration of Life Service at 3:00 pm on Sunday, April 10, at Victory Church. 125 HWY 469 N, Florence, MS. In lieu of flowers, you may send a tax-deductible donation to Bruce Family Ministries, 333 HWY 469 N, Florence, MS, 39073.