Betty Bridges

Betty Jean Scott Bridges, 89, of Charlotte, died November 18, 2025. She was born on December 3, 1935, in Woodruff, SC, to the late Charles Scott and Lottie Fowler Scott Duckett. Betty was raised by her mother and the late Cleveland "Bud" Duckett, and was a graduate of Woodruff High School and Cecil Business College. She then had a rewarding career with Duke Power Company in Spartanburg for over 25 years.

While she was an accomplished professional, Betty's heart remained steadfast and committed to her husband, Buddy. Theirs was a love story for the books, beginning with a simple exchange in a "5 and Dime" store and lasting a lifetime. The two lovebirds celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in August of this year.

Betty was an expert homemaker. She is remembered for her wonderful cooking, often making delicious meals out of very little. In fact, so many of her contributions stemmed from her uncanny ability to make something out of nothing. Betty, who was also known by the family as "Mamma" and "Nana," was an excellent seamstress, making clothing for her daughters, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. She and Buddy took great delight in watching all of their grandchildren learn the skills they'd mastered together, passing along the art of making something out of nothing.

Though Betty and Buddy lived in South Carolina for nearly all of their working years, in retirement, they found sanctuary in the mountains of East Tennessee. Family remembers Betty rediscovering a childlike joy as she and her beloved went out to play in the snow and delighted in the beauty and wonder of God's creation through the cultivation of a vegetable garden and apple trees, and in the admiration of all kinds of wildlife that would frequent their acreage.

Throughout all of life, participation in the church was very important to Betty. She was a dedicated Christian and enjoyed serving others through her church and community involvement. She regularly attended Sunday School, worship, weeknight meals, and participated in mission ministries such as Meals on Wheels, instilling the values expressed in the Gospels to "love God and love neighbor". Though her later years made it difficult to attend church in person, Betty was a member of Williamson's Chapel United Methodist Church.

She is preceded in death by her brother, Bobby. She is survived by her husband, James Frank "Buddy" Bridges; daughters, Kim Scruggs and husband Michael of Campobello, SC, and Dawn Tatum and husband Bill of Davidson, NC; grandchildren, Melanie Tatum Janko (Cory), Chrissy Tatum Williamson (Justin), Sarah Tatum Sacco (Ethan), Tristan Scruggs (Jamie Sue), and Masha Zhuk; and great-grandchildren, Sasha (12), Mia (12), McKinley (5), Luca (2), and Hollis (5 mo.)

The family wishes to express their most sincere gratitude for the many medical professionals and caregivers who have been steadfast in their care for Betty throughout the last 5 years.

A worship service in celebration of Betty's life will be held on Sunday, November 23, at Williamson's Chapel UMC (main sanctuary) at 2:00 PM. Visitation will follow in the chapel. Burial will be Monday at 12:00 PM, at the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, located behind Emma Gray Methodist Church, 321 W. Georgia St. Woodruff, SC.

James Funeral Home in Huntersville, NC is serving the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorial donations be made in Betty's memory to Williamson's Chapel UMC in Mooresville, NC.