Stella Virginia Bruce, 91 SMITH ISLAND - Stella Virginia Bruce, 91, of Tylerton, Smith Island, Maryland, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 11, 2009, at the McCready Memorial Hospital in Crisfield, Maryland. Born June 15, 1918 on Johntown, Smith Island, her family later moved to Tylerton where Stella lived the majority of her life. She was a faithful and active member of Union Methodist Church, Tylerton, where she played the piano and organ until she was 88 years old. Stella was also the pianist for the Smith Island Mens and Ladies Quartets in the 1960's and 1970's. Stella was preceded in death by her father and mother, Calvin and Lily Marsh, her stepmother, Lydie Marsh, her husband, Carson H. Bruce, Jr. in 1980, as well as two brothers, James and Junie Marsh. Stella is survived by two sons, D. Barry Bruce and his wife, Sharon, of Ewell, MD and Kenneth J. Bruce, Sr. and his wife, Susan, of Salisbury; two half brothers, Morris Goodman Marsh of Ewell and Samuel Marsh of Crisfield. Stella will be fondly remembered by five grandchildren, Valerie Nelson of Matthews, NC, Anita Kitching of Ewell, Kenneth J. Bruce, Jr. of Willards, MD, Deborah Bruce of Parsonsburg, MD, and Patricia Bruce of Salisbury, MD and their families which include five great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Her former daughter-in-law, Barbara Hopkins, and several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive her. The Bruce Family wishes to express their gratitude to the community of Tylerton for their love and concern which made it possible for Stella to live independently at home until just recently. The family also wishes to thank the staff of the Alice Byrd Tawes Nursing Home for their care for these last two months of her life. The funeral service officiated by the Rev. Rick Edmund was held Sunday, Nov. 14, 2009, at the Union Church on Tylerton, Smith Island. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Union U. M. Church, 3008 Union Church Road, Tylerton, MD 21866. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com