Mary Bridges Jones

Mary Bridges Jones, 97, passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 5, 2025 at Hawthorn House assisted living facility in Shalimar, FL.

Born in Beckton, KY (Barren County) on September 5, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Henry P. and Myrtie Richmond Bridges.

Mary attended Beckton School through 7th grade; she skipped 8th grade by testing out, then moved right on to Glasgow High School and graduated at age 16 as valedictorian, following in the footsteps of her sisters Anna and Ruth. It was sort of a joke at the time that people would be glad when “those Bridges girls” graduated so some of the other students would have a chance to win some awards. After high school, Mary went to work for Union Oil Company where she stayed nearly 10 years, saving money for college. She earned an associate degree from Lindsey Wilson Junior College in 1955, then completed her Bachelor of Arts in English at Western Kentucky State College (now Western Kentucky University) the following year. She continued her studies at George Peabody College for Teachers (which is now part of Vanderbilt University) in Nashville, TN where she earned her Master of Arts in English in 1957. On the beautiful Peabody campus, Mary met her soon-to-be husband Travis, who was also studying English Literature; they exchanged marriage vows June 7, 1957 at First Baptist Church in Nashville.

For a short time, Mary taught English as a foreign language to new immigrants to the United States. She then began working at Turner Engineering Co. as an administrative director and bookkeeper (which really means she ran the place). She showed her commitment and loyalty to a company by remaining at Turner Engineering for over 40 years, and even made it a family endeavor with her son, Mark, who joined their company as a civil engineer. She stayed with Turner until deciding to retire and move to Glasgow.

In early 2000, with her house sold, she moved back to her family roots in Glasgow where she felt the most at home. She soon became a member of Glasgow Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school, and with much encouragement from her brother-in-law, Kenneth Wood, immersed herself in various volunteer activities. Among those activities, Mary volunteered at T.J. Samson Community Hospital; she edited the Traces magazine for the Barren County Historical Society; she volunteered as bookkeeper for the Art & Antiques Gallery and worked the front desk at South Central Kentucky Cultural Center. She was most proud of the work she did for the Edmund Rogers Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, where she helped countless women trace their family roots so they could become members. Mary was also instrumental in organizing the genealogy library at the Cultural Center, so much so that the director and staff decided to name that library the Mary Bridges Jones Genealogy Library.

In 2018 she moved to Fort Walton Beach, FL to live with her daughter Paige and family. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the source of much joy as she had more frequent opportunities to spend time with them. She loved poring over pictures of all of her grands and bragging to anyone who would listen about all of their accomplishments.

Survivors include two children, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Mark Conwell Jones, Covington, GA, Paige (Tony) Arrington, Fort Walton Beach, FL; Grandchildren: Lauren (Eric) Krivensky, Brooke (Rob) Lajeunesse, and Jesse (Sara) Arrington; Great Grandchildren: Genevieve Krivensky and Ezra Arrington; many nieces and nephews whom she adored.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Travis Conwell Jones; her sisters Anna Bridges Holman, Ruth Marie Wood, and Emma Catherine, Julia Maedelle and Helen Richmond Bridges.

On Friday, April 11, a visitation period from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. will be held at the A.F. Crow & Son Funeral Home in Glasgow.

A memorial service will take place at the Glasgow Baptist Church at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 12 with a light luncheon to follow in the Fellowship Hall. The memorial service will be streamed live on the Glasgow Baptist Church Facebook website (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572796415181) when it begins.

A private family graveside service will follow later in the day at 4 p.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery in Nashville, TN. A.F. Crow & Son Funeral Home is managing the arrangements.

The family wishes to express special thanks to the amazing staff at Hawthorn House assisted living facility as well as Emerald Coast Hospice, both in Shalimar, FL., who made every day a little easier with their laughter and love.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to South Central Kentucky Cultural Center, P.O. Box 1714, Glasgow, KY 42142-1714; please designate in Mary Jones’ memory so gifts will benefit the genealogy library. You may also make a contribution on her behalf to the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution by sending to: Edmund Rogers Chapter, DAR, P.O. Box 112, Smith’s Grove, KY 42171.