Wednesday Evening Obituary

Joel Russell Bridges
(July 21, 1925 – November 3, 2010)

Born July 21, 1925 in Kentwood on his family’s dairy farm. Died November 3, 2010 at St. Tammany Hospital in Covington at the age of 85. He was a life long resident of Kentwood and the past 7 years has been a resident of Kentwood Manor. “Uncle Russell” as he was known by so many, held many jobs throughout his life. As a young man he was a dairy farmer and later managed the family’s dairy. Other occupations included postal mail carrier, Tangipahoa milk plant, security guard at Camp Moore Confederate Museum. He also worked for Bridges Red and White grocery in Tangipahoa. He graduated from Kentwood High School in 1942, was a member of the Tangipahoa Baptist Church, Son’s of Confederate Veterans, and Masonic Lodge in Kentwood. “Uncle Russell” loved people and enjoyed reminiscing about the old days and times with family and friends. If anyone had a question about the past, the first thing to do was to ask “Uncle Russell.” He was book of knowledge on the past and could recall it all until his last day. He loved to go riding, visiting friends and family and always had a few cemeteries to check on. Survived by one sister, Loray B. Pike, Tangipahoa, one brother, Dale Bridges, Kentwood. Sisters-in-law include, Evelyn Rushing Bridges, Mildred Gosa Bridges, Lois Gill Bridges, and Margaret Starrett Bridges Ramsdale. Nephews are Daryl K., Randal, John, Barry, Marshall, Brad, David, Reggie, Bobby, Tommy, and Carlton Bridges, George Ray Pike, Billy Chandler, Jimmy, Ronald, Jerry, and Wallace Cutrer. Nieces are Dianne B. Williams, Patricia B. DeBlanc, Teresa B. Holmes, Mona B. Stewart, Terri B. Hanks, Rhonda P. Penny, Glenda P. Duncan, Kathleen P. Kreider, Lynn B. Spears, Judy C. Hoover, Mary Ann C. Passons, Beverly C. Turnage, Ruth C. Allmond, Dorothy C. Shaffer, Joann C. Hutchinson, Barbara Bridges, and Joyce Bridges. He also has a host of great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joel Menton and Addie Williams Bridges. Brothers, Odessa, R.D., Dalton, Barney, and Kennoth Bridges. Sisters, Mennee B. Cutrer and Clytie B. Chandler, 2 sisters-in-law, Lillian Portel Bridges and Nellie Phillips Bridges, 3 brothers-in-law, George Pike, Virgil Cutrer, and Thomas Chandler. 2 nieces, Marilyn Bridges and Sandra B. Covington, 1 nephew, J. D. Bridges. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday, November 5, 2010 and at Tangipahoa Baptist Church on Highway 1049 after 9 a.m. Saturday, November 6, 2010 until the funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial will be at the Tangipahoa Cemetery, Tangipahoa, LA. Pallbearers will be Todd Hoover, Daryl Bridges, Brad Bridges, Neal Chandler, Barry Bridges, and John Bridges. Honorary pallbearers are Marshall Bridges, Jimmy Cutrer, Ronald Cutrer, and Billy Chandler. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Tangipahoa Baptist Church.

David and I have not know “Uncle Russell” for many years like many of you, but the few times we were honored to see him, he was a pleasure to be around.  I wish I had known him better.