Rachel Hedgepeth Bruce, beloved wife of Robert Armitage Bruce, passed away gently on Thursday morning, November 9th, 2023, at the age of 93.
Born on June 26th, 1930, Rachel Daphne Hedgepeth grew up as a member of a large and loving family of ten children in Oxford, North Carolina.  Rachel graduated from Oxford High School and studied at Fueller Business School.  She went on to have a rewarding career in office management at the Corning Credit Union in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Rachel met and fell in love with her devoted husband Bob, and they were wed in 1985.  They resided in Hampton, Virginia where Bob worked and eventually retired from NASA.
Rachel will be remembered as a sweet and classy southern lady, who loved her family deeply.  Rachel loved choosing and sending personal birthday cards for every one of her family members and never forgot anyone's special day!  Rachel was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, her parents Lartha and Judy Hedgepeth, her older brothers Grady, Herbert and Alton Hedgepeth and her loving older sisters Bertie, Tempie, Beaufort, Effie and Rebie.  Rachel is survived by her devoted younger brother Donald Hedgepeth of Yorktown, VA, her two sister in laws Delphia Hedgepeth and Joyce Hedgepeth, her very special niece Judy Melton as well as and many additional nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great- nephews who loved and appreciated Rachel dearly throughout her life.
A graveside service honoring Rachel's life attended by many family members and close friends was held at the Elmwood Cemetery in Oxford, NC on Saturday, November 11th by her loving nephew Rev. Preston Stainback.
Arrangements are by Sossamon Funeral Home of Oxford. Online condolences may be made at sossamonfuneralhome.com.