Frieda Bryant Bruton

Frieda Bryant Bruton died on March 4th, 2026. She was born on June 22nd, 1935 in Mount Airy, NC, the 2nd child of Agnes Roslund and Walker Bryant. She left the foothills of North Carolina after one year, never to live there again. Her growing-up years were in Monroe, NC, graduating from Monroe High School in 1953. She then attended the School of Nursing at UNC Chapel Hill. She met David Bruton there and they were married in Chapel Hill on June 4th, 1957, the day after graduating from the University. They remained in Chapel Hill for David to attend medical school, living in Victory Village. Two of their three children were born there, Henry David Bruton II (David) and Frieda Evelyn Bruton (Evelyn). This is when Frieda developed her life-long love for Carolina basketball. They moved to Baltimore, Maryland for David to complete his Pediatric Residency at Johns Hopkins University. And then they moved to Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama for him to fulfill his military obligation. Their 3rd child, Ann Roslund Bruton, was born there.

The young family then moved to Southern Pines in 1966 where David started Sandhills Pediatrics with Bill Clarke. Frieda was a stay-at-home mom until she returned to nursing when Ann was in the 4th grade. She started the Health Occupations program at Pinecrest, worked as a bedside nurse at Moore County Hospital, and worked as an instructor in the nursing school at Sandhills Community College. Her final interest in nursing came in 2012 when she served on the UNC CH School of Nursing Alumni Board.

Her community interests included the Moore County Board of Health, the Moore County Historical Association, the Southern Pines United Methodist Church, and the Moore County Public Schools. She volunteered for these organizations at various times in her life. She grew peaches with her husband, selling them at their farm on Niagara-Carthage Rd. She learned how to pick only tree ripe peaches to sell that day.

Her ashes will be mixed with David's and buried in the Candor Cemetery, per her wishes. Services will be at Someday Farm, 4497 Niagara-Carthage Rd, Carthage, NC on Saturday, March 7th, at 12:30 pm. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Frieda Bruton Nursing Scholarship at Sandhills Community College. Donations can be made via check to SCC Foundation and sent to 3395 Airport Rd, Pinehurst, NC 28374. Please indicate the Frieda Bruton Nursing Scholarship in the memo line.

Frieda was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, David, and her sister Marie. She is survived by her brother, James Bryant; three children, David Bruton II, Evelyn Harris (John), Ann Willard (Ronnie); her eight grandchildren, Jordan Bracamonte (Ralph), Callie Harris, Luke Willard (McKenna), David Bruton III, Troy Willard, John Michael Harris, Evelyn Bruton, Hannah Willard; and her four great-grandchildren, Bella, Hudson and Bodie Bracamonte and Wren Willard.

The above obituary was written by Frieda in 2012. She wished to use this version, but we think it leaves out a lot of beautiful things about her, so we're adding our thoughts. We don't think she'll mind.

Frieda (our Mormor) was exceptionally kind, exceedingly wise, and loved family more than anything. She was an excellent seamstress, a skilled gardener, a gifted nurse, a great card player, and a world traveler. She enjoyed the simple yet beautiful things: a James Taylor song, a glass of red wine, a perfect Carolina Blue sky after a basketball victory. She brought love and joy to every conversation.

While her husband (our Pawpaw) got most of the glory, Mormor was undoubtedly the backbone of it all. She made Someday Farm the home that everyone wanted to gather in, always filling it with love and warmth. She helped plan our incredible family trips to China, Italy, France, Canada, London, the American West, and many other places. She was happiest when we were all together.

She passed away surrounded by all of her children and grandchildren who loved her dearly, just as she would have wanted. She is very happy to be reunited with Pawpaw, and we know they will be cheering hard on Saturday when the Heels play Duke in Durham.

"With a holy host of others standing around me

Still, I'm on the dark side of the moon

And it seems like it goes on like this forever

You must forgive me

If I m up and gone to Carolina in my mind

Say nice things about me when I'm gone

Carry on without me when I'm gone"

She will be profoundly missed but her legacy of family will continue to live on. We'll make sure of it.

Bright Funeral Home is serving the Bruton family. Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.