Henry Brunson

On Saturday, April 25th, our beloved brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, Henry “Bubba” Brunson, earned his heavenly rewards when he went home to be with the Lord.

In the concluding hours of his life, he made us laugh, cry, and dig deep for meaning as we shared our final goodbyes. As always, he took the burden off our hearts by giving us the gift of his love and courage. He made us feel cherished and loved as he assured us that all was well with his soul.

Henry was born in Sumter, South Carolina, on November 2, 1939. Times were hard on the farm, but he was a welcome addition to the Brunson clan and the apple of his mother Rowena’s eye. He wanted for nothing that was in her power to provide. The two shared a special bond that shaped his viewpoints throughout his life. She raised him to understand and appreciate that hard work would ensure he could lead a life of independence. Rowena gave him an appreciation for good food, fine clothes, and always keeping some walking-around money.

At some point early in his life, he became “Bubba” to his family and friends — so much so that while attending Whittemore High School, some of his teammates stopped by to say hello to Henry, and Rowena told them there was no “Henry” living there. It took her a few minutes to realize the Henry they were asking for was actually Bubba. Like the rest of the family, she simply was not accustomed to hearing him called Henry.

Bubba attended the Colored School for his early education and went on to graduate from Whittemore High School in 1961. While there, he played football and basketball. He loved watching both sports throughout his life and did not play about the Cowboys and the Lakers — buying whatever sports packages were required to watch every game. He also loved boxing. We recall his admiration for Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, and the many champions who followed in their footsteps.

Two years after completing high school, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to serve in Korea while his friend Ike Corbett joined the U.S. Air Force and served in Vietnam. The two had to report to duty stations in California. Cousin Gert and his brother Leroy recall the two boarding a Greyhound bus headed to the West Coast along with their friend Clifford Gore. They were young, but they understood the assignment and the responsibility to serve their country.

Once he returned from duty, Bubba, along with his brother Leroy and Alphonso Hughes, decided to leave the sand and cotton fields of Myrtle Beach behind and move to New York City. Working factory jobs provided by Uncle Freddy Brunson, the three shared a small apartment where, according to Leroy, they were barely getting by. They made very little money, but somehow Bubba was still living the high life while they survived on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Eventually, Leroy called Rowena, and she sent enough money for both of them to come home.

Brother JB recalls the hours spent playing golf and watching westerns on television once Bubba returned to Myrtle Beach. As young men, they worked and lived together. JB will always remember Bubba’s generous heart and willingness to give from his limited funds to help a family member in need.

Bubba held an array of jobs throughout his life, mostly in service and hospitality. He worked as a caddy at Arcadian Shores Golf Course, a waiter at high-end steakhouses, and a taxi driver for many years. Taking lessons from Rowena, Bubba used his cooking skills to earn extra income. He even ran a restaurant inside an Atlantic Beach hotel where he was living.

Although he spent most of his life in South Carolina, he also called Washington, D.C., home for many years. In D.C., he was surrounded by friends — Ike Corbett, Robert Gore, John “Buddah” Rogers, Thomas Chestnut, and Ernest “Blood” Gore. As a dedicated bachelor, Bubba was popular with the ladies to the point that he adopted the alias “Andre” (none of us know where it came from). Unfortunately, he forgot to tell his cousin Gert he was operating under an alias. Of course, he brought a date to Gert’s house, and she hadn’t been there long before Gert asked, “Who is Andre?”

Younger siblings Diane, Elveta, and James recall their brother as a man who knew who he was and what he wanted. He did not play games or mince words. Diane recalls baking him a sweet potato pie during a recent holiday, and he told her it tasted just like Rowena’s pie. There is no greater compliment than knowing a family legacy of baking lives on.

Elveta recalls a brother who always had her back. He never asked for much, but a few years ago he asked her to manage his final arrangements because he trusted her to fulfill his wishes and settle his affairs. James will forever be grateful for the closeness he and Bubba developed in recent years. Bubba would call on James to run errands, bring food, and help with his cell phone. James recognized that Bubba did not like asking for help, so he always felt honored by those calls from his brother.

Bubba never let distance keep him from staying close to family and friends. He once described his time with his beloved Philly cousins as “wild.” He maintained close contact with Harry Jr., Stoney, and Render Brunson. We can only imagine the trouble those four got into, but one thing is certain — they were always well dressed.

Bubba’s life was a collection of experiences that shaped his generosity. He may have started out picking cotton and doing odd jobs to make a few coins, but he still shared whatever he could with those in need.

However, his brother Leroy says there was one exception. He recalls stealing a piece of bacon off Bubba’s breakfast plate when they were kids and learning the hard way that Bubba was not in a giving mood. With the help of a jelly jar to the face, Bubba taught him never to take food off another person’s plate without asking.

For those who knew him well, Bubba could also be quite the prankster. Family friend Ros Wise was not a fan of cats, and Bubba knew it. On more than one occasion, he grabbed a stray cat and put it on her. His niece Tiffany recalls witnessing Bubba trying to convince Grandma Rowena that steak should be cooked medium rare because it tasted better. Grandma Rowena made it very clear that meat needed to be fully cooked so it would not make you sick. Suffice it to say, Tiffany and Bubba survived many medium-rare steaks when Rowena wasn’t looking.

Bubba leaves behind his siblings — Leroy Brunson (wife Angela Brunson), JB Williams (wife Mona Williams), Diane McKing, Elveta Chestnut (husband Myron Chestnut), and James McKing — along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will deeply miss his presence in their lives.

Bubba truly loved watching his younger nieces and nephews grow into responsible and honorable adults. He took great pride in seeing the Brunson legacy continue through each and every one of them.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.