Bruce Bigelow

1932 - 2016

Celebrated artist and poet, Edwin Bruce Bigelow, 84, transformed from this life to the next on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at North Miss. Medical Center. Born in Manhattan, Kansas on July 7, l932 to the late Edwin H. and Golda Rice Bigelow. Bruce grew up there, graduated from Washington High School and Kansas University with a BS in Art. He served in the U. S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict honorably discharging as a 1st Lieutenant. He was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, subsequently meeting his sweetheart of 61 years, Carolyn Morris from Prentiss, County. They married on October 8, 1955. Bruce grew to love the South, was a free spirit and followed his passions and utilized his Providential gifts as a self-employed artist and poet. He founded and owned Sundown Studio, a graphic arts design business. Upon retirement, he devoted his time to painting, writing, poetry and being a nurturing, loving husband, father and grandfather. Bruce left a noteworthy mark on the art world around North Mississippi. His portrait's grace many homes locally and his master works of landscape and abstract hang in many commercial structures. He loved the outdoors and all animals and their safety and wellbeing. Bruce was a member of the Mississippi Painter's Association and the Mississippi Poetry Society. He encouraged many local artists in the pursuit of their gifts. He was affiliated with the First Unity of Practical Christianity in Memphis, Tenn.

A service celebrating his life will be held at 3 PM Saturday, October 23, 2016 at the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with Colleen Brown officiating. Private burial will follow in the Blackland Cemetery, west of Booneville. Visitation will be from 1 PM-service time on Saturday only. Friends may view the service on line at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/livestreaming. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving their friends.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn of Tupelo; a son, Robert Drew Bigelow of Danville, KY; a brother, Don Bigelow of Rogers, Arkansas and two granddaughters, Caitlin Bigelow and Ashley Bigelow of Danville, KY. A host of friends everywhere.

Memorials may be made to Tupelo-Lee Humane Society, P. O. Box 1185, Tupelo, MS. 38802 or to CurePSP Foundation, 404 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10018 (www.psp.org).

Condolences may be emailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net.