Early County  Georgia Obits J. Oscar Bridges

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Brenda King McNair < bmcnair614@aol.com > 

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Death Claims J. Oscar Bridges Of This City

John Oscar Bridges, 71, for nearly a half century a
business, political and religious leader in Blakely, and
one of this city's most highly-respected citizens, died
at his home on River Street at 6:45 o'clock the past
Thursday morning.  Mr. Bridges' death resulted from a
heart condition and an illness of three days.


A native of Randolph County, where he was born January
25, 1881, Mr. Bridges was a son of the late W. Z. T.
Bridges and Mary Bass Bridges. He came to Blakely in
1903, and had since resided here, engaging in banking,
warehousing and farming until his retirement a few years
ago.


He took an active interest in politics and served a long
number of years on the Blakely City Council.  He twice
represented Early County in the Georgia General Assembly
and served one term as State Senator from the Ninth
District.


A member of the Baptist Church since young manhood, he
was the oldest member in point of service of the board of
deacons of the Blakely Baptist Church, having served as a
deacon continuously since 1908.  For 30 years he was the
Business Men's Class of the church and was a deep student
of the Bible.


A member of the Masonic fraternity, he was a Past Master
of Magnolia Lodge No. 86 and was a member of that
fraternity for 50 years.  


Funeral services for Mr. Bridges were held Friday
afternoon at 4:00 o'clock at the Baptist Church, with his
pastor, the Reverend W. E. Storey, officiating, assisted
by the Reverend Roy J. Bond, Methodist pastor, with the
Minter Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.  Serving
as pallbearers were Grady Holman, Sr., John C. Homan, H.
J. Middleton, H. C. Fort, S. G. Maddox, R. C. Singletary,
Jr. Oscar Whitchard, A. D. Harriss, and R. C. Howell.
Members of the Board of Deacons of the Baptist church
formed an honorary escort.  Following the service at the
church, the body of Mr. Bridges was interred in the city
cemetery with the impressive ceremony of the Masonic
fraternity.


A large number of friends attended the last rites and the
floral offerings were both profuse and beautiful,
attesting the high esteem in which this citizen was held
and the sympathy felt for members of his family.


Surviving Mr. Bridges are his wife, Mrs. Caroline
Blackshear Bridges; four sons, Don S. Bridges, of
Decatur, Frank B. Bridges of Pensacola, Fla., C. Bradely
Bridges with the E. C. A., U. S. Public Health Service,
Ankara, Turkey, and Perry L. Bridges of Blountstown,
Fla.; a brother, Dr. E. C. Bridges, of Donalsonville; and
two sisters, Mrs. P. N. J. Dozier of Damascus, and Mrs.
Nettie B. Coachman, of Tampa, Fla.  These have the
sincere sympathy of many friends in their bereavement.


Source: Early County News Blakely, GA, Thursday Morning,
March 27, 1952. Front Page. 18 January 2002 BKM.

Submitted by: Brenda King McNair < bmcnair614@aol.com >