Ms. Linda Jean Bridges

Dawn of Day Setting of Sun 9/18/1953 3/12/2019 On March 12, 2019, Linda Jean Bridges transitioned this old earthly world for a better life with GOD. Linda Jean Bridges was born to the late Alga Bridges and Daisy White Bridges on September 18, 1953 in Craven County, North Carolina. After the death of her mother, at the age of four, Linda came to live with her late Uncle James and Aunt Elizabeth Chappell Bridges and the late Ruth Bridges. Linda was blessed to have three families who truly loved her – the Whites, the Bridges, and the Chappells. Linda was educated in the public schools of Johnston County; she graduated from Smithfield-Selma High School and later attended Campbell College and Johnston Technical Institute, Smithfield, North Carolina. Her work history was with the North Carolina Employment Security Commission in Raleigh and Smithfield, North Carolina. Linda also held positions with the Division of Consumer Credit Counseling Services, Johnston County Department of Social Services and the Town of Selma. At an early age, she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior and joined Red Hill United Church of Christ. From her youth through adulthood, Linda was very active in church, serving as a dedicated usher, youth choir member, and member of the Homecoming, Women's Day and Youth Empowerment Committees. She also served as a delegate representing Red Hill at United Church of Christ Conventions. In 2002 Linda's life changed drastically. While traveling to Raleigh for work, a school bus collided with the vehicle that she was riding. WRAL's website reported the medical staff at Wake Medical Hospital worked all day to save her life. Although disabled from the accident, Linda worked hard to learn basic skills again like walking and general coordination. Linda was able to maintain her independence, living at home with limited assistance until December, 2018. In 2015, Linda suffered a great loss with the death of her one and only son, Decarius Bridges. He was her primary caregiver, performing many household tasks – grocery shopping, paying bills, preparing meals, and keeping doctor appointments. He was a loving son to Linda as well as loving grandson to Ruth Bridges. Linda leaves to cherish her memory two sisters – Gwendolyn Hargett of New Bern, North Carolina and Viola Holmes of St. Louis, Missouri; one brother – Alga Bridges, Jr. of Harve De' Grace, Maryland; one aunt – Portia Williams (Dwight) of Clayton, North Carolina; a host of nieces and nephews; special nephew – Emmett Holmes; family and special friends; Darrell Trent Bridges, Melvin and Louise Bridges, Linda F. Watson, Gail C. Thorpe, Pamela C. Moore, Louise C. Bonaparte, Janie F. Watkins, Keturah Foye, Carolyn Blount and Samuel Chappell, Jr.