The Friends of the Museums are honored to recognize another hometown citizen for her contributions and support of the Fuquay-Varina Friends of the Museums and the Museums Collection.
Betty Bruce Howard was born to Bruce Ruffin Howard and Mary Elizabeth Brown Howard in “Varina” North Carolina in 1939. A few years later, the family moved into a home on East Street In “Fuquay Springs” making her a native of both communities from our past. The Brown Family on her maternal side were the backbone of the Varina Station Depot and Durham and Southern RR. Her grandfather, John E. Brown, served the town in several governmental capacities as well as the depot agent. Her paternal family of Howards were active in the early town’s history with her father, Bruce, serving as Mayor of Fuquay Springs 1953-55 and Mayor of Fuquay-Varina 1967-69.
Our most recent contribution from Betty Bruce was her treasured Yearbook Collection from Fuquay Springs High School. These 14 volumes dating from 1948 to 1967 will be of extensive value in our collection. Additionally, she shared two student scrapbooks, one from our Mrs Myrtle Hopson’s elementary classroom and another from the vocational classes of the high school.
Prior to this recent contribution, Betty Bruce and her sister, Kay Howard Cloniger, had contributed many artifacts ranging from childhood china for the playhouse to paintings of the depot.
Among her latest gifts was her biography. The Museum is thrilled to be able to collect biographical information from citizens and families as part of our archives.
Betty Bruce was valedictorian of her 1957 class, Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Wake Forest University and graduate MAT from the University of South Florida, She began her teaching career in Greensboro, NC. but from 1976 until retirement in 2000 she held various positions at Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa.
A historian by interest, Betty Bruce wrote a History of Berkley Preparatory School, the Centennial Cornerstone Booklet for St Andrew’s Church in Tampa, and the Time Line of St. Clare’s Church in Blairsville, Ga. As an English teacher and writer, she earned a collection of awards and honors including dedication of the Hoover Center for Writing in her honor. Professionally, Betty Bruce has many educational publications to her credit.
Her complete biography will be archived in the museums for interested persons. While she enjoyed retirement in Blairsville, Ga. she has worked with the Class Reunions at FSHS for her classmates.
While her husband of 65 years, Herbert Charles Marsh Hoover, recently died, and she will be downsizing, she will not forget her hometown. The Friends of the Museums are grateful to Betty Bruce for her continued interest and support.
Please continue to follow the lead of Betty Bruce and archive special documents, biographies, family genealogy, and donate artifacts to the FV Museums.