Aaron Bruce

Aaron Bruce, 87, of Coatesville, PA, passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Chester County Hospital in West Chester.

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, he was the son of the late Gullie Bruce, Sr., and Bessie Mae Hurst Bruce. He was the beloved husband of Mildred Amelia Bush Bruce, with whom he shared over 54 years of marriage.

His first job was delivering newspapers. After that, he worked for the milkman. He often talked about the summers he spent in the country at his grandparents’ home. He said he didn’t like working in the country because it was hard work, but he had to go every summer. He would laugh and say they always knew when it was break time because the mule would stop as soon as it saw the bus go by.

At 18 years old, with being part of the "Great Migration," he came to Coatesville hoping to find work at Lukens Steel. When he arrived, they were not hiring, so he went to Chicago. While he was there, someone tried to encourage him to become a police officer. However, after seeing the riots and chaos in the cities at that time, he quickly decided that would not be the path for him.

Not long after, he received word that the mill in Coatesville was hiring. He immediately jumped on a train and returned. When he arrived, he walked straight to where they were hiring and proudly said he was third in line.

From that point on, he built a life defined by hard work and determination. Over the years, Aaron was employed as a supervisor at Lukens Steel Company and later worked at Sears. He took pride in being a provider and worked faithfully to support his family, always doing what needed to be done. He enjoyed reading the newspaper and his daily scratch-offs. He also enjoyed listening to the blues and music by James Brown. Most of all, he enjoyed being with his family.

He was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Trinity for many years and also a member of Faith Center United Ministries.

Aaron is survived by his wife, Mildred Bruce; children, Michael Daryl Jennings (Iris) of Thorndale, Angela Selena Jennings, Annette Cecila Lavender, Constance Elizabeth Dutton, Tisha Hope Jennings all of Coatesville, Aaron Stephen Jennings (Laticia) of Paradise, Curt Robert Jennings of Coatesville, Peter Andrew Jennings (Paula) of Atglen; brother, Charles Bruce of Coatesville; sisters, Evelyn Skinner, Joycestine Vicks both of Birmingham, Alabama, Teresa A, Washington-Walker (Fredrick) of Coatesville, Lillian Brown of Alabama and Ellanore Hurd of Parkesburg; daughters in law, Rhonda Jennings of Elton MD, Mary Jennings of Glenmoore and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchild, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sons, Charles Lavere Jennings, Kenneth Eric Jennings, Bruce Edward Jennings; brothers, John Bruce, Carvel Bruce, Samuel Bruce, Gullie Bruce, Jr., Eddie Hurst, Bernard Bruce; sisters, Lillian Brown, Carrie Motley, Maggie Pennington, and Freddia Bradford.

Aaron will be deeply missed. We will cherish his memory in our hearts.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 23, 2026, at the Episcopal Church of the Trinity, 323 East Lincoln Hwy, Coatesville, PA. A viewing will be held from 9:00 AM until 10:45 AM.

Interment will be held privately.

Family and friends may share condolences at the guestbook link on this memorial page. All are welcome to light a candle or share a picture in his memory.

Flowers may be sent to the church on the day of the service.