David Merrell Bridges

David Merrell Bridges, age 79, transitioned from this life on April 6, 2026. A Nashvillian for 40+ years, he had resided at Abe's Garden Community (Memory Support) since September, 2024.

David was a loyal, bright, musical, thoughtful, kind, friendly, wise, and witty man who was loved, respected, and trusted by his friends and colleagues. He was a committed church music leader, an outstanding teacher, and a spiritual guide to many. He loved music, good food, poetry, UT football, and all things Italian. He was also an avid reader, an enthusiastic gardener, and a loving and supportive husband, father, and grandfather.

David was born in Atlanta, GA in 1946 to Rev. Jack Bridges and wife, Ouida. He graduated from high school in McDonough, GA. He attended Shorter College in Rome, GA, and earned the M.M. and Ph.D. degrees in musicology from George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University.

Throughout his life David worked as a church musician and college teacher. He directed music programs, serving as minister of music in various churches including Crievewood Methodist (Nashville, TN); Jefferson City First Baptist (TN); and Crievewood Baptist, McKendree Methodist, and Second Presbyterian (Nashville, TN).

David's greatest professional joy was in composing and preparing choirs to present music he had written. His files overflow with compositions he created for church choirs, handbells, instrumental groups, or other specific groups and occasions. Numerous choir and handbell compositions were published by various companies. He studied composition with noted arranger Alice Parker and spent three January terms in NYC as a part of her Melodious Accord Fellowship Program.
His college teaching positions included adjunct teaching at Scarritt College, Middle Tennessee State University, and Belmont University. He served as a full-time lecturer in music for thirteen years at Belmont. A popular teacher, David's students loved his down-to-earth manner, humor, quirkiness, flexibility, and empathetic listening.

David had a strong interest in theology and spirituality and completed a three-year program in Christian Spiritual Guidance from the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Washington, DC. This aspect of David's background enriched his own life and the lives of colleagues, friends, church members, and students.

Those who miss David most are his family--his wife and partner of 56 years, Madeline, for whom he provided unwavering emotional and professional support; his children Rebecca (Scott) Martin of Columbia, MD, and John David (Sheila) Bridges of Louisville, KY; his grandchildren Jesse Martin, Helen Bridges, and Jack Bridges; his 98-year old sister, Nan (of Forsythe, GA); and numerous treasured friends, nieces and nephews. David was preceded in death by his sister, Elizabeth Rife.

A Service of Worship and Remembrance will be held on Sunday, May 17 at 2:00 pm at Immanuel Baptist Church in Nashville. The service will be preceded by visitation in the church parlor from 1:00-2:00.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Immanuel Baptist Church, the Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation, or Abe's Garden Community.