Ethelene Bridges

Mrs. Ethelene Katherine Rogers Bridges 96 of Parksville Rd Benton, TN passed away on February 17, 2025. She went peacefully to meet her Lord and Savior. Ethelene "Granny" was a lifelong member of Zion Baptist Church. She was proudly the oldest living member of the Rogers family until her passing.

She married the love of her life L.B. "Gobe" Pap Bridges, when she was 22. They enjoyed riding motorcycles, camping, gardening and just taking a Sunday drive.

Granny loved being a mom of 2 grandmother of 5, great grandmother 13 and great great grandmother of 9. She took pride in caring for all the kids. She taught each of them how to cook, clean, and keep a tidy yard. She also took pride in showing them all what a good hickory was. She would pick them fresh and use them daily. She loved making sure the kids knew Jesus. She would sing them to sleep and tell them stories. She would sing Old Aunt Patsy and tell about the Foolish man who built his house upon the sand. She would sing about Thumbkin, Jesus Loves me and The Lords Army.

She taught them how to make potatoes, Mac-n-cheese, chocolate pies, and tiny biscuits with chocolate gravy. She enjoyed sharing the art of canning. She appreciated a good clothes line and crisp towels and sheets. She would let them catch fire flies at night, and find cicadas and June bugs during the day.

She showed them the power in prayer, taking time for Jesus and giving their tithes and offerings. She would take them to swimming lessons at VBS, RA's and GA's and Children's Church. She drove them to do Bible Drills and Play practice. She made sure they were at church twice on Sundays and on Wednesday nights. She made sure they went to Camp Agape each year and introduced them to one of her oldest friends, Preacher Shipman.

She enjoyed the Rogers reunion and seeing family again. She loved telling stories of all the people who lived in the Valley.

The parsonage was built in 1973, it has housed 10+ preachers. She loved each preacher that moved in next to her. And they all showed her the same love and respect. She loved to pick on them and they reciprocated. It made her day. The kind of love she gave each one of them was unique. She was the funniest lady we have ever known. We have always said, we can't wait to grow up to be like granny, or we just want to make it to 96. She would have been 97 on March 3rd.

Wow what a legacy she has made and a legacy she will leave. We are beyond blessed to call her "Granny."

Granny was preceded in death by her Mother, Father Julie and Travis Rogers and Siblings. She was preceded in death by her husband L.B Bridges and daughter Wanda Thomason.

She is Survived by her daughter Judy (John) Thomason; son in law Lige Thomason; grandchildren: Cynthia (Brent) Trahan, Anthony (Vanessa) Thomason, Barbara (Howard) Lovell, Julie (Hank) Hicks, Lucas (Brittany)Thomason; great grandchildren: Nick, Brooke, Justin, Shelby, Hannah, Collin, Jackson, Jacob, Sarah, Abigail, James, Cole and Peyton; great-great grandchildren John Aaron, Willa Dawn, Ty, Tucker, RaeLynn, Henley, Waylon, Daisy, and Lee.

Her family will receive friends from 4pm until 7pm on Thursday February 20th at Zion Baptist Church located at 953 Parksville Road, Benton. Her family will also receive friends at the church on Friday February 21st from 11am until 12pm. A celebration of her life will be held at 12:00pm on Friday with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Pastors Mike Hazlewood, Chris Peak, and David Peters will be officiating the service.

Jacob Headrick, Collin Lovell, Justin Thomason, James Headrick, Joshua Hobbs, and Gage Peterson will serve as pallbearers. Bruce Rymer, Johnny Bramlett, and Gary Rogers will serve as honorary pallbearers.

You are invited to share a personal memory of Ethelene or your condolences with her family at her online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral & Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist the Bridges family with these arrangements.