Karen Joan Bridges

Karen Joan “Keke” Bridges, avid gardener, book lover, treasured mother, devoted grandmother, and special friend passed away peacefully at home on September 27, 2025, surrounded by family and her beloved dachshunds, Lucy and Lilly. She was 76 years old.

Karen was born to Charles and Lillian Atherton on September 9, 1949, in Troy, New York. She had three younger brothers. She grew up in New York and then moved to the South to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Karen graduated nursing school as an RN in 1989 from Chattanooga State. She then had a long, 30+ year nursing career at Erlanger Medical Center. She was described as a spitfire nurse who could run circles around much younger nurses and doctors. Karen always had her patients’ best interest at heart.

Karen can be described as quick-witted and downright funny. Her favorite pastime was enjoying good food and spending time with family and friends by the pool. She also had an investigative mind and loved a good Dateline episode. Her house was always kept in impeccable condition, ready for the next party or celebration. She loved to travel with friends to locales as far as Ireland and spent many family vacations at St. George Island, Florida.

Keke was always there for her grandchildren, Emily, Benjamin, Jonah, and Hannah. She attended every function, offered advice, and performed carpool duty until the grandkids took over driving once they had permits, since Keke was a bit of a crazy driver. The grandkids all have great memories of cousin sleepovers and the best waffles in the morning. Keke must have put a whole lot of love into those waffles, because they were just Bisquick.

Karen attended regularly with her family at Brainerd Presbyterian Church and Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church and most recently worshipped online at First Baptist Church of Cleveland, TN.

She is survived by her aunt Ginny McNamee; brother Brian Atherton (Dale); daughter Allison Seay (Jeffrey); daughter Sara Brantley (Jeff); grandchildren Emily Cunningham (Jordan), Benjamin Seay, Jonah Brantley (Alana), and Hannah Seay; dachshunds Lucy and Lilly; nieces Ashley, Mikaela, and Jenny; nephew Will; and sister-in-law Marguerite.

Visitation will be held at her home, Thursday, October 2, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. at 2019 Ashmore Ave., Red Bank, TN 37415.

A Celebration of Life will also be held at her home by the pool on Friday, October 3, 2025, at 6 p.m. Additional parking will be available for both at White Oak Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memory of Karen Bridges. https://www.stjude.org/give/memorials-and-dedications.html