Eloise Garrett Bridges

Eloise Garrett Bridges, 90 of Cresthill Dr., Morganton, NC died Thursday, May 12, 2011 at her home following a brief illness. Born November 9, 1920 in Buncombe County, NC, she was a daughter of the late William Browning Garrett and Grace Elma Bell Garrett. She was a retired salesperson with Carolina Office Supply in Hickory. Eloise was a very active member of First Baptist Church where she served on food service and bereavement committees. For over forty years she worked with the pre-school age children at the First Baptist Churches of Hickory and Morganton. Mrs. Bridges was an avid and accomplished doll maker. She was a member of the Red Hat Club and of the Elderberries. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, James Floyd "Jay" Bridges, Jr.Surviving are her children, Charlotte Bridges Duncan and her husband, Rev. C. Richard Duncan of Montclair, VA, Shirley Bridges-Owen of Morganton, J. Michael Bridges and his wife, Deborah of Morganton, and Keith T. Bridges and his wife, Danette Steelman-Bridges of Morganton; sisters, Elizabeth Love of Gladstone, VA, Anne Robilatto of Martinsburg, PA, Dot Anderson of Hendersonville, NC, and Wilma Cox of Waterloo, SC; grandchildren, Richard David Duncan and wife, Christine, James Robert Bridges and wife, Elizabeth, Anna Catherine Wheeler and husband, Sam, Elizabeth Nicole Murphy and husband, Andy, Michael Keith Bridges and wife, Emily, Jennifer Beth Hines and husband, C. J., Erin Owen, Joshua Keith Bridges, Mark Thomas Bridges, Stephen James Bridges, Kelly Garrett DiFoggio and husband, Mario, Justin Garrett and wife, Jennifer, and Chase Garrett; great grandchildren, Jake and Will Duncan, Jace, Liam, Hana, and Michael Bridges, Thomas and Isabelle Wheeler, Eva and Jack Murphy, James Bridges, Ellie and Maggie Hines, Carmen and Garrett DiFoggio.A memorial service to celebrate Mrs. Bridges life will be held at 3:30 p.m., Monday, May 16, 2011 at First Baptist Church, Morganton with Dr. Thomas A. Bland, Jr. and Rev. C. Richard Duncan officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the church parlor. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to First Baptist Church, P. O. Drawer 459, Morganton, NC 28680-0459. Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family.