Heaven gained an angel in Edna Josephine Riley Bruce .  At age 88, she slipped into peaceful slumber on February 15, 2018 at University of Colorado Health Center in Aurora Colorado.  Edna was born July17,1 929, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, the daughter of the late Derrick and Mabel (Garrett) Riley. She was one of two children and now joins her brother, William Derrick Riley Jr and her parents. While we know that she has joined her loved ones and i s at peace , that her struggles are at an end , there is pain and sadness for those left behind. E ven though she is gone, she has left the legacy of her love and perseverance.

Edna thoroughly loved music … it was her true passion. She began learning to play the piano at a young age and sang in the church and school choirs and plays .  She graduated from Manual Training High School .  She then attended the Kansas State in Pittsburg, Kansas where she majored in education and music. She later earned a Master's Degree in education from Northeastern State University .

Upon her graduation , she be gan teaching in Haskell Public Schools and eventually moved to the Muskogee Public Schools where she taught at Franklin Elementary School.  She taught the upper grades until she became the school's music specialist.  She was then able to share her marvelous musical ability with her students in the classroom and with private piano lessons . She understood that t here is a peacefulness that occurs when we care for and nurture children . She felt that nurturing children brought beauty and peace to the world,

She married the love of her life , Ralph Eugene Bruce.  They lived in Muskogee and rai s ed their daughter, Pamela Nicole . She loved taking family vacations, spending quality time with family and friends, and serving her community. She was active in her beloved sorority , Delta Sigma Theta Incorpor ated, Phi Delta Kappa sorority , and the Muskogee, Oklahoma and National Education Association s.

Edna grew up attending Ward Chapel AME Church and remained a faithful member for many years.  She served on various church committees as well as serving as the church organist and pianist.  In her later years , she became a member of Christ Kingdom Builders where she worshipped with her nieces, nephews and church family. Because her niece called her "Aunt Edna" the entire church – young and old alike - called her the same. She tried to live a life so that others would see Christ in her.  She will be remembered for her kindness to all, generosity, caring disposition and honesty.

A consummate wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt and friend , Mother Bruce had an unwavering faith in God. Edna leaves to cherish her memory her devoted daughter, Pamela Nicole (Bruce) Cotton and her husband John William Cotton of Aurora, Colorado; grandson, John William (J.W) Cotton Jr, granddaughters , Nichol Mason of Tulsa Oklahoma and Ebony Chantelle Cotton of Phoenix, Arizona; two nieces and one nephew, Derryl (Riley) Venters and her husband Ronald , and Derrick R iley and his wife, Saundra both from Muskogee, Oklahoma, Sherryl (Riley) Redo and her husband Jerry Redo of Desoto, Texas and; and a host of other great grandchildren, great nieces and nephews, and close family friends.

You may visit Mrs. Bruce on Wednesday, beginning at 1:00 PM until 6:00 PM at the Christ Kingdom Builders Ministry, 1801 Baltimore Avenue in Muskogee.

Her prestigious Sorors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., will hold their memorial ceremony begining promptly at 6:00 PM at the Church.  The public is welcome to attend.

The Final Hour of Reflection will commence on Thursday morning, February 22, 2018 at 11:00 AM in the sanctuary of the Christ Kingdom Builders Ministry.  Pastor Ron Venters, Sr., will preside.  Visitation on Thursday will begin at the Church at 10:00 AM until service time.  The casket will not be opened at the conclusion of the service.

The Christian Committal will follow in the National Cemetery at Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.