HAHarvey Walden
1 week agoFuneral Mass Scheduled for Merle Bruns, June 8
Merle Moore Bruns, 86, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and resident of Chesapeake passed away at her home surrounded by family and God's love on June 2, 2026 after a courageous fight with a long-term illness.Merle was born on January 22, 1940 in Alabama to Whitt and Willie Mae Moore. She graduated from Billingsley High School In 1958.She met the love of her life, Raymond H. Bruns, Jr., while he was stationed at Gunter AFB Alabama. They were married on June 6, 1959. Soon after, they moved to his hometown of Norfolk and then to Chesapeake.Merle was predeceased by her parents; her husband; her brothers Arthur, Alton, and Bobby Moore; her daughter Karen Bottum; and her granddaughter Lisa Bottum.Left to cherish her memory are her brother Bruce Moore; daughter Pamela Dunn (Raymond); son Raymond Bruns III; son Michael Bruns (Cheryl); daughter Jennifer Bruns; grandsons Sean Dunn (Rachel), Patrick Dunn (Sarah), and Noah Bruns; great-grandsons Granger Dunn, Landon Dunn, and Theodore Dunn; and many nieces and nephews.Merle was a longtime, devoted member of St. Matthew's Catholic Church. She earned a certification as a certified nursing assistant and provided excellent care at Beth Sholom and The Terrace Assisted Living facilities for many years. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, and spending time with her family.A funeral mass will be held at 11am on Monday, June 8, 2026 at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, followed by a brief reception. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Kempsvllle Chapel from 3 pm to 5 pm on Sunday, June 7, 2026.In lieu of flowers, donations dedicated to the memory of Merle Bruns may be made to the Foodbank at www.foodbankonline.org. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com
