Choctaw County District 5 Supervisor, Mark Bruce, passed away on Sunday, April 17, at Baptist Hospital in Jackson, MS. He was 65-years-old, and he and his wife, Betty, had been married for 45 years.
Bruce had served as District 5 Supervisor for just over two years, and according to the other Board members, he was a hard worker, and very dedicated to the people of his district and to all of Choctaw County.
Bruce was diagnosed with lymphoma shortly after his election, and underwent treatments for the disease, and according to Board President, Joey Stephenson, "He beat it." However, he recently tested positive for the COVID virus, and spent some time in the hospital in Jackson. He seemed to be improving, but took a sudden turn for the worse.
Stephenson said, "He was a good, Christian man, a hard worker, and he had a lot of plans that he wanted to get done for District 5." He added that Bruce was working diligently to get things done, even while battling lymphoma, and that his death is a huge loss for the county.
District 4 Supervisor, John Shumaker, said, "He was always dedicated to his job, and he enjoyed his job, and helping people. He always had a good, positive attitude, and it's just heartbreaking."
Greg Fondren of District 2 stated, "Mark didn't waver, he always did what he thought was right," adding that he never had the opportunity to be the job the way he wanted to because he was dealing with lymphoma.
District 3 Supervisor, Chris McIntire, added that he had known Bruce for many years, also describing him as a hard worker who had made improvements within his district, and was making a big impact.
Bruce was very highly thought of in Choctaw County. His funeral was held on Thursday, April 21, and his passing has left a great void.
