Margaret Mary Cofer Bruner, the eldest daughter of six siblings of the late Rev. William Cofer, Sr., and Theresa Moore Cofer, was born on October 11, 1935, in Philadelphia, PA. She entered eternal life and received her angel wings on Monday, March 20, 2023, at home in Glenn Dale, MD.

Mrs. Bruner was a very loving and supportive wife of the late Kermit Bruner, Jr., for over 54 years. They met at Maryland State College (now University of Maryland Eastern Shore) and then were married by Rev. J. L. Eure on December 23, 1957, in Wicomico County, now Salisbury, Maryland. Their union produced daughters, Pamela Rochelle Bruner, a retired Visual Information Specialist (graphic design and desktop publishing) for the Dept. of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (law enforcement), and the late Paula René Bruner, Esq., a writing attorney for the Office of Federal Operations (OFO) Appellate Review Programs at Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, who preceded her in death on June 4, 2021.

Mrs. Bruner studied music education from 1954-57 at Maryland State College, then completed her education and received her BA and New Jersey certification to teach most subjects to students in kindergarten through twelfth grade at Glassboro State College, now Rowan University, from 1962-72. During her thirty-eight years as a dedicated educator in the Vineland Public School System, she touched countless lives of young people by serving as a mentor, confidant, and role model for many young people, friends, family, and associates. An award-winning teacher in the Gifted and Talented Program, she served twelve years as an advisor to the Dr. Mennies School Safety Patrol Program. She used her musical talents to direct the Choral Group at Dr. William Mennies Elementary School. She was a music teacher and dramatic coach at the New Jersey State Department of Migrant Education.

Mrs. Bruner was voted "Most Outstanding" in Vineland eight times by the local Police Department for her work with patrols.

Mrs. Bruner and her family were long-time residents of Vineland, NJ. Mrs. Bruner joined Union Baptist Temple of Bridgeton, NJ, along with her husband, Kermit E. Bruner, Jr., under the Pastorate of Rev. Robert W. Davis 64 years ago. She was a member of the Temple Gospel Choir; her glorious operatic voice could be heard singing beloved hymns and gospel songs. She was also a member of the Hospitality Club, Couples Club, and many other committees of UBT over the years. She originally received her salvation at the age of 12. Her parents instilled in her and her siblings the values that would guide her life: Faith in God, the rewards of hard work, and the importance of academic excellence; love of family and respect and love for herself and others. Her favorite motto and responses were "To God Be the Glory" and "I'm Blessed," and her favorite African Proverb was "It takes a Village to raise a Child."

Mrs. Bruner's favorite scripture was Psalm 27:1-14, which she used as a guide for her life. Verse 13 states: "I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." Her national and local involvement in enumerable educational, community, social, fraternal, and sorority organizations helped her spread the Lord's goodness during her lifetime. An avid proponent of a positive and factual history of the African American experience, Mrs. Bruner always incorporated the contributions of African-Americans into her programs which received District-, County-, and State-wide recognition. The New Jersey State Legislature cited her many community, state, and national contributions as she advocated for the growth and development of young people.

Mrs. Bruner was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Omicron Chapter, Maryland State College on December 8, 1956. She was a Pearl and Life member of Theta Pi Omega Chapter until her death. She loved all things pink and green. She proudly instilled the love of the sorority in her daughters, Pamela and Paula, who joined the sorority during college and are/were life members.
She served as a former president of the professional teacher's sorority, Alpha Delta Kappa Professional Sorority from 1978-80. Mrs. Bruner was also a Life Member of the NAACP and served as Membership Chairperson of the Greater Vineland Branch. As Chairwoman, she raised funds for the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Additionally, Mrs. Bruner was a Past Grand Worthy Matron of Ionic Chapter 15 Order of the Eastern Star (OES); a Past Illustrious Commandress of Zamora Court No. 135 Daughters of the Isis, a Past Loyal Lady Ruler of Primrose Assembly No. 9; and the Northeast Regional Chairperson for OES Grand Chapters.

Among her notable achievements with the OES, she rode "Forward in the 21st Century" on the "Oziel Express" on the wheels of "Courage, Confidence, Commitment, Cooperation, Communication, and Charity, While Loving One Another" during the 1994-1996 term. Through a service project, she and others provided necessary supplies to victims of the Georgia floods. She also raised funds for various groups, including the Tiny Tom Fund, the United Fund, the Cancer Fund, the Newcomb Hospital Fund, and the Vineland Senior High School Building Expansion.
During her lifetime, she received numerous awards beyond those previously mentioned, such as "Outstanding Educator of the Year," the "African American Woman Achievers' Award," and she was listed in 1975 "Who's Who Among Outstanding Educators in America."
She was an avid reader and enjoyed watching British television shows and Hallmark movies, especially during Christmas. She believed in reaching out to others through her card ministry. Her distinctive and beautiful handwriting graced tens of thousands of cards over her lifetime.
Someone once wrote: "All of life is a dream walking; all of the death is a going home."

Before her homegoing, Mrs. Bruner walked with many during her lifetime. In addition to her oldest daughter Pamela, she is survived by her brother Guilford Cofer, Port St. Lucie, FL, her sister Veronica Cofer Turner, Hackensack, NJ, sisters-in-law Rita Moore, Forestville, MD, and Joan Cofer, nephews Darryl V.A.J. Williams of Richmond, VA, Elliott Valle, Brooklyn, NY, Roger David Turner, Brooklyn, NY, Dwayne and Damien Cofer, Orlando, FL, and Arthur Moore, Jr., Clinton, MD; nieces Adrienne Cofer of Brooklyn, NY, Kim Cofer of Port St. Lucie, FL, Lisa Moore, of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, cousins Ruth Ann McNeil, Voorhees, NJ, Robin E. Moore Couch, New Castle, DE, Iris Moore Broomer, Newark, DE, Myra Moore Coney, Newark, DE, Brian Moore, Wilmington, DE, and a host of many more cousins, aunts, uncles, relatives, and friends to celebrate her extraordinary life and Heaven's gain. Mrs. Bruner will be missed by many. We loved you dearly, but God loved you best.