Ellen Bruton

Family-Placed Death Notice

ELLEN RUTH FLOYD BRUTON 1912-2005 With the passing of our Mother, Ellen Ruth Floyd Bruton, a bit of Robeson County and Lumberton, NC history has ended. Ellen Ruth was the daughter of Johnson Ruth Floyd who owned the first memorial stone business in the county and who was an active member and deacon of Lumberton's First United Methodist Church. When the church chose to build a larger sanctuary on its Chestnut Street property in 1870, Hugh Floyd, as he was known, purchased the original church building at 702 Water Street and it was to this converted home that our granddaddy, over a period of 45 years, brought three wives and raised two families of children. Ellen Ruth Floyd Bruton was the youngest of his ten children. Ellen Ruth is preceded in death by her mother, Ellen Vallne Regan Floyd, her beloved stepmother, Sudie Melvin Floyd and by her three brothers, Regan Floyd, Billy Frank Floyd and former judge of the Recorders Court, Robert Floyd. Growing up from age seven to fourteen, motherless, Ellen Ruth was much loved by her daddy, his sister, Darcas Leggett and her three older brothers. Her two brothers, Regan and Billy Frank shared their skill at and love of swimming, dancing and basketball with Mother, who went on to play on Lumberton's award winning women's team. Her love of basketball was then shared with her daughters who all played on various teams. In 1934, Ellen Ruth married Jefferson Byrd Bruton (J.B.) an admirer of her since their elementary school days. Together they raised four children, Suellen Bruton (Mrs. Thomas Cunningham) of Bainbridge Island, WA, Bill Bruton of Canton, GA, Linda Bruton (Mrs. Doyce Cannon) of Maggie Valley, NC and Brenda Bruton (Mrs. John Steele) of Monroe, GA. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren all of whom loved her dearly. Mother will always be remembered as a woman who cherished flowers, the seashore, and her home, but, it was her unconditional love of her family that made her a gift to us all. That love is her true legacy to us. A celebration of Ellen Ruth Floyd Bruton's life will be held at 4 PM, Sunday, September 4 at Wages Snellville Chapel, with Rev. Ted Poole officiating. The family will receive friends Saturday from 4-6 PM at the funeral home. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, Inc., Snellville Chapel, (770) 979-3200.