MARY NIXON BRUTON
Died Sept. 23, 2013
FREMONT -- Mary Nixon Bruton, 68, Fremont, died Monday, Sept. 23, 2013.
Funeral will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Fremont United Methodist Church, followed by a time of visiting and sharing in the fellowship hall.
Surviving are her husband of 46 years, Charles; daughter, Catherine; son, Charlie (Kori); and grandson, Nick, all of Fremont.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilson Irvin and Marian White Nixon of Pasquotank County, and brother, Thomas H. Nixon.
Mary died in her home after a courageous four-year battle with cancer.
Her love for family and animals, lively spirit, kind heart and inspiration for others will leave a real void for her family and those whom she touched with her life.
She had an active, happy childhood in Elizabeth City, enjoying family activities and friends. Riding her horse, being a summer life guard and enjoying water activities on the river and at the beach were her life.
After high school, she went on to graduate from Atlantic Christian College (now Barton) in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education, and then spent 33 enjoyable years in Raleigh with her family and numerous friends. A teacher for more than 40 years, she was admired by administrators, students and parents for her love, passion and hands-on creativity for teaching science and math.
Even after retirement, Mary continued to teach at Northeast Elementary School near Fremont.
During her teaching career, she received numerous commendations, including several science grants and a prestigious award from the entomology department of North Carolina State University as an outstanding science teacher.
Outside of her professional life, Mary had been an active member of Westover and Highland United Methodist churches in Raleigh and later Fremont, serving on many committees and supporting church programs even during her declining health.
She received the Methodist's United Methodist Women's life member pin, an honor she dearly treasured.
The family wishes to thank the caring and skilled staff at Physicians East, Greenville, and those many caring and supportive friends who offered prayers during Mary's life.
Memorials are suggested to Fremont United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 147, Fremont, N.C., 27830-0147.
Arrangements are by Wilson Memorial Service, 252-237-7171, www.wilsonmemorialservice.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on September 25, 2013 1:49 PM