of Conway, AR

June 24, 1942 - November 3, 2023

Carolyn Ruth Yarger Bruce, 81, of Conway, Arkansas died Friday, November 3, 2023. Born June 24, 1942 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to the late Robert Herschel and Ruth Grace Nichols Yarger. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and PEO Chapter E, both of Conway.

She was preceded in death by a brother, David Yarger and a sister, Sheila Weaver. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, James Robert Bruce; a brother, Charles Yarger of Edmond, OK; daughters, Deborah Turner (Dan) and Lisa Lawrence (Marcus) both of Conway, AR; five grandchildren, Joshua Smith of Chicago, IL; Emily MacDonnell (John) of Centerton, AR; Abigail Heim (Joshua) of Conway, AR; Nathaniel Lawrence (Allison) of Conway, AR and Hannah Stinson (Blake) of El Paso, TX and four great grandchildren, Kadius Heim, Braxton Lawrence, Anara Heim and Eloise MacDonnell.

Carolyn graduated from high school in Bristow, OK where she met her high school sweetheart, James. She graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond with a degree in education. She then followed her husband to New Orleans, LA where he pursued a graduate degree and she taught first grade in Westwego, Louisiana. In 1967, they moved to Spartanburg, South Carolina, where both their daughters were born and Carolyn used her typing skills to type her husband's doctoral dissertation.

After moving to Conway in 1974, Carolyn earned a master's degree in special education from the University of Central Arkansas. She taught elementary school for many years in Conway. First at the Cadron School and then at Ida Burns Elementary. She loved teaching and was loved by her students. Carolyn was very proud of her educational achievements and often joked that she had more graduate credit hours than her husband, who had his doctorate degree. Carolyn reluctantly retired from teaching in 1998 in order to care for her aging parents. Caring for others was very important to her. She provided care for her parents; her brother, David in his last days; as well as for her husband; children and grandchildren.

Carolyn loved her church, First United Methodist, where she sang in the early service choir and was a longtime member of the Round Table Sunday School Class. Carolyn was a loyal supporter of the National Education Association and the American Civil Liberties Union. Memorial gifts can be directed to the ACLU, First United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.

Although Carolyn's last year was difficult with spinal surgery and much pain, we are comforted to know that she lived her life so that heaven would be her final resting place. The memorial service is 10:00 am Thursday, November 9th at First United Methodist Church in Conway, followed by a reception with the family.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-McNutt Funeral Home
650 Central Landing Blvd.
Conway, AR  72032
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com