Brucene Cook McClure

Brucene Cook McClure, born July 7, 1936, passed away on June 9, 2024, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grands. She spent her final months in the home she had curated with love as a safe harbor for the family. A place of love, comfort, good food, gardens, birds, laughter, hugs, and rest. Her surroundings reflected so many of the things she treasured; her love of flowers, all things green, photos and evidence of her young, and remnants of her childhood in Texas. She left Alvin Texas in 1955 on a bus to Transylvania for school, but Texas never departed from her. She had a spirit we all loved, respected, and sometimes feared. She was a straight shooter who saw the world through clear eyes, but always with love, acceptance, and grace. If you were one of hers, you always felt like she’d been planning your party when you walked in the door. Sunday pot roast always included cake or pie because that was how things were done. Fresh cookies were always in the jar by the teapot, and some clipped flowers always rested above them in the vase. She would also feed anyone who was hungry and had a knack for making unconventional friends. She was drawn to the quiet and unassuming personality and would hone in on common values – most often growing tomatoes. She had quite a tomato following…. She carried many monikers but the most revered was Gameo – an adaptation of the grandmother’s name (Gam) she had selected as age appropriate. The name became synonymous with everything she was about. Each child and grandchild knew Gameo as their own unique guardian and cheerleader. It was the first word spoken thousands of times as the back door opened. “Hey Gameo!” was the password for love, encouragement, and acceptance. As we look back, she was the quiet, solid, rational, strategic one who led the family from behind. She seldom got the credit we owed her because we knew she was there. Each of us have distinct values, habits, practices, and disciplines we owe to her. She will live on through each of us. Cabernet and a smile, a warm summer night, a great moment shared, a loving feeling, a little sass, long legs crossed, fiddling with her necklace, long slender fingers collecting biscuit crumbs, a delicious bite, home grown veggies on the counter, celebrating natural beauty - collectively made you realize you had it all. She was preceded in death by Russ, her love of 62 years and partner in leading a large and vibrant lineage. Brucene was survived by children Tina (Tim) Christopher, Mark (Lee) McClure, and Holly (Scott) Smith. No greater joy was found for her than Grandchildren April, Chase, Lauren, Cory, Drew, Shelby, Ali, and Abby. Each had a unique relationship with her because she embraced each one as a miracle. Equally treasured where great-grandchildren Connor, Brooke, Henry, Nolan, Ava, Reid, Mae, and Georgia. Graveside services will be held at Frankfort Cemetery on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. with Rev. Dawn Montgomery officiating. The family will receive friends at Harrod Brothers Funeral Home from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Serving as pallbearers will be Mark McClure, Chase Ryan, Tim Christopher, Scott Smith, Eric Nedeljko, and Nolan Cheshire. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Bluegrass Hospice Care. Arrangements are under the direction of Harrod Brothers Funeral Home & Crematory.

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Brucene Cook McClure

July 7, 1936 - June 9, 2024