Sara Lillian (Hicks) Bruce

Obituary for Sara Lillian Hicks Bruce

“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all”.  Proverbs 31:28-29

On Tuesday morning, December 9, 2025, Sara Lillian Hicks Bruce, age 93, passed peacefully from this life into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Previously of Florence, Alabama, her latter days were spent in National Healthcare Center in Lawrenceburg, due to the struggles related to memory loss and aging.  But she never lost her love for her family, especially her dear husband of 73 years, Richard Bruce, who preceded her in death by just slightly more than five months.

Mrs. Bruce was born in Bibb County, Alabama, on April 11, 1932, the youngest of four children to James Hollan and Ruby Burns Hicks. 

Life for the family held many challenges, including the death of her only brother, Joe Terrell, at age four prior to Sara’s birth, and then the untimely death of her father when she was only eighteen months old.  But her mother led the family with strength and love, and Sara was raised to be strong and loving as well. 

She married her high school sweetheart, Richard, on May 10, 1952.  The couple resided in Washington DC at the time, but soon after returned to Birmingham, Alabama to be closer to family. Throughout their married life they also lived in Florence and Sylacauga, Alabama, Albany, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida.  Sara was an excellent secretary and served in many such capacities throughout her working life, including the Florida Baptist Convention and Colbert-Lauderdale Baptist Association.  She and Richard were also faithful to local Southern Baptist churches in whatever town they happened to reside, and with each move they always made dear friends whom they loved and cherished.

Mrs. Bruce was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Joe Terrell; and both her sisters, Elsie McCary and Emily Jones.

She is survived by four children, Carol Humphries (Marshall) of Tupelo, Mississippi, Cheryl Kahler (Bill) and Cindy Edwards (Jonathan), both of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, and Richard Bruce, Jr. (Denise) of Birmingham, Alabama.  She is also survived by ten grandchildren to whom she was known as “Bambie”: Anna Robinson (Jon), Steve Graham, Jr. (Abby), Leigh Prince (John), Will Kahler (Tiffany), Drew Kahler, Ben Kahler, Charlie Edwards (Stephanie), Haley Kirkpatrick (Justin), Sally Darnell (Spencer), Richard G. “Trey” Bruce, III (Channing), as well as twenty three great grandchildren.

The family wishes to express love and deepest gratitude to the wonderful staff of National Healthcare Center, The Summit and Compassus Hospice, all of Lawrenceburg, for the excellent care given to our mother in her sunset years. 

Family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 am on Monday, December 15, 2025, with a celebration of Mrs. Bruce’s life at

1:00 pm at Greenview Memorial Chapel in Florence, Alabama with John Brock, pastor of Highland Baptist Church, officiating.

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