Eva Jean Bruns

Eva Jean "Granny Jean" Bruns, age 93, of Jacksonville went to be with her Lord and Savior on September 22, 2025. She was born April 24, 1932 in Traskwood, Arkansas to the late Alf Gatlin and Nealy Joe Alma (Beck) Gatlin. In addition to her parents, Eva was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband Milton E. Bruns in 2005; siblings Wayne, Sonny and Marvell Gatlin; along with a son-in-law, Larry Jordan. She leaves a legacy of love and devotion to her family, her church and her community that will not easily be replaced.

Eva was a longtime member of Second Baptist Church where she was a Sunday school teacher and sang in the choir. Mrs. Bruns was highly devoted to living the values of her Christian faith. She worked daily to be a godly example to her family, friends and those in the community she loved so dearly. One of her most hailed talents was her excellent baking skills. Every year she would participate in the church bake sale, where her Coconut Cream and Pumpkin pies were always in high demand, often fetching hundreds of dollars each.

Aside from being a wife and mother, Eva was a hardworking woman. She spent many years as a trusted Realtor, guiding families through the process of buying or selling a home. Buyers and sellers alike knew that dealing with Eva Bruns meant you were getting treated with honesty, fairness and most importantly love. In addition, she was also a well know Beautician, owning her own shop for a time where she curated a list of dedicated clients. Lastly, and maybe most important to her career, Mrs. Bruns was a teacher. She spent countless hours teaching and developing the minds of the many children that passed through her classroom. She had a lifelong passion for learning that she shared not only with her students, but also passed along to her grandchildren, often spending hours helping them with homework or school projects.

Left to cherish her memory and continue the legacy of her life are her children, Linda (David) Steele of Benton, Dolly Jordan of Jacksonville, Judy (Lyle) Walton of Conway and daughter/sister, Janet Lamb of Jacksonville; grandchildren, James Allen (Gina) Steele, Jamie Leigh (Brian Gartrell) Fenton, Lauren Cleary, Carl Joseph Cleary, Paul H. (Katie) Carter Jr., Joseph (Kim) Williams, Jeana (Cody) Van Belle, Steven (Amanda) Sauls and Sarah Sauls. Other survivors include great grandchildren, Samuel Steele, Danielle Steele, Zachary Fenton, Hannah Gartrell, Henry Gartrell, Joseph Lattin, Zachariah Cleary, Darla Carter, Charlie Wayne Carter, Logan Williams, Breanna Williams, Joshua Williams, Riley Van Belle, Maya Van Belle, Destiny (Canaan) Sutton, Erin Lee Sauls, Lilly Sauls, Stevie Sauls, Stetson Sauls and Skyler Sauls; great great grandchildren, Oakley Millinger, Zola Millins, Derek Boal and Daxon Boal along with a host of church family and many friends.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Thursday, October 2, 2025 at Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home. Mrs. Bruns will be laid to rest next to her husband at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery following the service. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 1, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.