Mary Lou Bridges

Mary Lou Bridges

Mary Lou Bridges, 92, of Cape Girardeau, died peacefully at 4:08 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, at Ratliff Care Center, surrounded by her family.

She was born on Aug. 21, 1927, in Union County, the daughter of Roy and Mary Coats Roach. 

Seven brothers would follow: Bob, Bill, Jim, Jack, John, Kenny and Mike. Jack (Wilma) of Anna and Kenny (Linda) of Jonesboro are still living. She was also preceded in death by two half-sisters, Helen Johnson and Geraldine Foster. 

She married the love of her life, Leo Eugene (Gene), on June 27, 1947. They were married just shy of 46 years. Gene died on June 3, 1993.

To this union was born two sons, Randy (Christine) Bridges of Anna and Rodney (Dimple) Bridges of Cape Girardeau. They both survive.

She is also survived by Randy’s children, Scott (Heather) Carter of Anna and Angela (Ryan) Smith of Pocahontas. She was preceded in death by Randy’s daughter, Annette Carter Roach.

She is also survived by Rodney’s children, Krista (Keith) Baker of Cape Girardeau, Brandy (Jimmy) Storck of Franklin, Tenn., and Hayley (Derek) Hood of Carterville. 

She was GeeGee (great-grandma) to 10 great-grandsons, eight great-granddaughters and two great-great-grandchildren. She loved them all dearly and tried to spend as much time with them, and all the families as she could. Truly the matriarch of the family.

She also is survived by many cousins, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends. She leaves behind her precious little “fur baby” Lucy Lou.

She went to work at the International Shoe Company in Anna when she was 16 and she retired from there, Florsheim Shoe Company. 

She was an incredible cook, loved to sew and loved to crochet making many dishrags, hand towels, baby blankets, “scrubbies” and sock caps for many young students.

She and her husband made a decision to follow Jesus at 26 years of age.They both served and loved Him all of the remaining days of their lives, serving as the patriarch and matriarch of faith for generations to come. She leaves behind a legacy of believers, confident in knowing with certainty, knowing they will all be together again worshiping the one true God for all of eternity.

She also leaves behind the best fried chicken and hush puppies to ever touch your lips, as well as a lineage of cooks hoping to somehow fill her shoes.

As witty as she was creative, as spunky as she was gracious, as funny as she was loving, she died as she lived, beautiful and full of dignity, on her own terms, and without complaint. For as long as anyone can remember, she has said that she wanted to die in October, the most beautiful month of the year. And she did.

Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at the United Methodist Church in Anna, with the Rev. Dick Sullins officiating. Interment was in the Anna City Cemetery next to her beloved Gene.  

Memorials can be made to St. Francis Hospice or  to the Anna United Methodist Church. 

The family voiced appreciation to all of her caregivers at St. Francis Hospice and Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau for their display of love, affection and concern; especially one of her nurses, Chris, for adopting her “fur baby” Lucy Lou.

To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com. 

Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna was in charge of arrangements.

The Gazette-Democrat

112 Lafayette St.
Anna, Illinois 62906
Office Number: (618) 833-2158
Email: news@annanews.com

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