Wilma Clayton Bridges
August 19, 1925 ~ January 31, 2016
Signature Sympathy Cards
Proverbs 31: 10-31
Wilma Bridges, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday afternoon, January 31, 2016. She was born in Person County on August 19, 1925 to the late Wiley and Annie Vaughn Clayton. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Pete Bridges; her infant daughter, Mary Jeanette; great-grandson, C. J. Jones; son-in-law, Russell Spivey; her sisters, Alma Eakes, Annie Mae Ashley, Alice Lawrence, and Myrtle Stephenson, Her brothers, Joe Clayton, Elbert Clayton, Purvis Clayton, Melvin Clayton, and Arthur Clayton.
After a fall and declining health, Wilma made her home with her Daughter Lois and husband, George, in Rocky Mount. She received very good care and was happy and comfortable.
Wilma was saved at a young age and was a member of Bethany Baptist Church in Sharpsburg which her husband founded and pastored for many years. She attended services regularly until July of 2015. She had a great sense of humor and loved the fellowship with family and friends. She was humble and enjoyed the simple things in life. Her greatest blessing and privilege was first being a Christian and then wife, mother, and grandmother.
She had a passion for bluegrass gospel music and was talented musically. She sang and played the guitar. In the 70s, she and her daughters Lois and Elaine formed the Gethsemane Trio which later grew and became The Bridges Family. They traveled many miles spreading the gospel through their testimonies and music.
Wilma was also a wonderful homemaker. She enjoyed caring for her family, especially cooking their favorite meals, cakes, pies, and delicious homemade biscuits.
The family expresses their love and gratitude to the members of Bethany Baptist Church, caregivers, Louise, Von, Ada, and Angie and a special thank you to Corine Garrett who was a faithful caregiver and companion for the past six years. The family also would like to thank E. J. from Pruitt Hospice for her invaluable help during the final moments.
She is survived by her three daughters, Lois Moore and her husband, George; Elaine Fuller and her husband, Billy; Gloria Warrick and her husband, Keith; her three sons, Donald Bridges and his wife, Carolyn; Charles Bridges and his wife, Sophia; Wayne Bridges and his wife, Lori; 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends and relatives on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home Cremation Services and other times at the home of Lois and George Moore on Pleasant Hill Road. A Funeral Service will be held 7:00 PM with Rev. George H. Moore, Sr. officiating.
Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to Bethany Baptist Church, P. O. Box 1248, Sharpsburg, NC 27878.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> |
Wednesday 2/3, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Service
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> |
Wednesday 2/3, 7:00 pm
Cemetery
Rocky Mount Memorial Park
4454 Dortches Blvd., Hwy 43
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
My thoughts and prayers are with all the family. I was truly blessed to be one of her caregivers. Miss Wilma was a loving lady, and thru her I got to know an amazing family.
Lit a candle in memory of Wilma Clayton Bridges
Lit a candle in memory of Wilma Clayton Bridges
Lit a candle in memory of Wilma Clayton Bridges
Dawn, I was so sorry to hear about your grandma. But we know she truly is in a better place now. You and the family are in my prayers.
She was so caring loving lady.I love her in church. I’m sure going miss her.my heart goes out to family .my prayers.
Lit a candle in memory of Wilma Clayton Bridges
Lit a candle in memory of Wilma Clayton Bridges
I will love and miss my wonderful Grandmother forever.She will live in my heart always.
aaaa
Mama, I am saying good-bye to you for the last time until we meet again in Heaven. I am so thankful for the promise of God that I will see you again. I had the opportunity of a life time to take care of you in the last few years of your life. I made a vow to daddy that I would take care of you and never place you in a nursing home as long as my health would permit it. Through the help of God, I have honored my father’s wishes. Today I can say as Jesus did when he hung on the cross, it is finished, my job is done. There are so many thoughts that run through my head that I think about in times past, how proud I was when I was in the first grade and you were a grade mother bringing cookies for some school party we had planned and I would think how beautiful I thought you were and how my heart would swell up with love because you did that for me. There were many times you lost sleep when we were sick and you cared for us. You taught me how to be a good home-maker. When I was dating and going out I would ask you how I look and you would say if you do as well as you look you will be allright. I remember Christmas being a fun time not because we had a lot but because we were together and we loved one another and it was all about that. I am thankful for all my brothers and sisters that you and daddy blessed me with. I think back last Thursday when your condition was worsening and I got on the bed beside you and held your hand and kissed your cheek and told you just how much I loved you and how much you meant to me. You asked me about Heaven. I asked you if you wanted to go there and you replied yes. I asked you why you wanted to go and you replied it was a good place. I asked you was there another reason you wanted to go and you told me yes, that you wanted to see your family that had gone there. We named family members that had left, you wanted to see daddy, your mama, and others we talked about. You told me that you wanted to see Jesus too. I told you it was okay for you to go and that all of us would soon join you. Sunday evening I was in your room singing to you as you were slowly slipping away, from this life; I was singing the song I Love My Dear Mother. Corine was standing beside your bed too, holding your hand. I turned to get the oxygen tank hooked up as it was just delivered to help you with your breathing, and you were gone I am thankful Mama, that you did not suffer and I am thankful I was with you in the final last few minutes. I will miss you my dear mama until I take my final breath but where you are now you can see again, you can walk again, you can sing again, and your body is whole, no more crying, no more pain, no more worrying over us children; Praise be to God. I will forever love you my beautiful mother.
I will miss Grandma Bridges dearly .She was a angel here as I’m sure she is in heaven. She was one of the sweetest people I’ve ever known next to my own mother and I love her dearly.
Mom, I often remember you telling me that when you lose your mom, you have lost your best friend. These words have never had any more truth than now. My heart is broken and has a void that will never be filled again. My peace and comfort is that I know you are with Jesus. You will shed no more tears. I know one day we will all be together again. Thank you mom for loving your family unconditional. Love, your baby girl (Pony tail) Gloria Warrick
A LOVING COMMENT TO SHARE ABOUT MY MOTHER My mother was a woman like no other. She gave me life, she nurtured me, taught me, dressed me, fought for me, held me in her arms, kissed me, shouted at me, cooked for me, but most importantly she loved me unconditionally. There are not enough words to describe just how important my mother was to me and what a powerful influence she continues to be. I love you very much mother. Love always, Charles
To my beautiful, sweet mom. I love you dearly and miss you terribly. You will always be in my heart and I am comforted knowing that you are in the presence of Jesus and so many dear loved ones. I will see you again someday and we will never separate again. Until then, I’ll think of you every day and love you always. Love, Elaine
Lois, Elaine, Glo and Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss. There are many memories to cherish that will live within you forever. May your faith be your guide in the days ahead as God wraps his loving arms around each of you. You have certainly been blessed to have such a wonderful and Godly mother who shaped and molded each of you. Proverbs 3110-31King James Version (KJV) 10 Who can find a virtuous woman for her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good her candle goeth not out by night. 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Grandma, It still does not seem real, but I know that your in a so much better place now. I will forever miss my daily visits with you! Our visits together were like no others, we shared a lot of laughter’s happiness, joy and sadness together but I will not mention our other bond that we had, that stays between me and you! HA HA! I will miss absolutely everything about you but our precious memories will never fade away. I am hoping that this message which carries so much love will somehow find its way to you in heaven up above. Its to let you know my precious grandma that, although you are at rest you’ll live forever in my heart always!! I love you so much!
Glo, Lois,Bobby Sue, Micheal and family. I send you all my love and prayers. It hurts so deeply to loose someone as precious as your mother. If I can do anything, anytime please let me know. Please forgive me for not going to the service. Since I lost my mom, I just can’t seem to bring myself to go to a funeral service. You all were and are in my thoughts! Love you!roseroseroseroserose