SHELBY-Ramona Vassey "Granny" Bridges, 87, of West Zion Church Road Shelby died peacefully at Hospice Wendover with family surrounding her and went "home" Tuesday, September 20th after a sudden illness.
She was preceded in death by her husband, friend and soulmate of 63 years, Bill Hubbard Bridges. Also preceding "Granny" is a precious great-grandson Levi Carter Caffell.
She is survived by five daughters, Margaret Green and husband Marvin of Rutherfordton, NC, Janice Duncan and husband Tommy of Shelby, Lynn Powell of Shelby, Myra Johnson and husband, Bill of Spindale, Billie Downs and husband Gary "Shake" of Shelby; eleven grandchildren Minnie Green Caffell and husband Benji of Forest City, Chad Duncan and wife Brooke of Kings Mountain, Farrah Duncan of Lawndale, NC, Marvin Green Jr. and wife Amie of Wilmington, Travis Powell of Charlotte, Ryan Johnson Hagen and husband Drew of Mauldin, SC, Jonathan Downs of Shelby, Brandon Powell and wife Nikki of Shelby, Whitney Johnson Abrams and husband Holden of Swansboro, NC, Lindsay Powell of Shelby, and Benjamin Hubbard Downs and wife Alisa of Waco; twenty great-grandchildren Sam, Rachel, and Noah Caffell, Taylor McMahan, Braeden Duncan, Madison, Jude and Bristyl Duncan, Olivia Ramsey, Brylee and Blair Powell, Neveah Young, J'Mya Ross, Charlea, Lyza Jo Vassey and Ryan Abrams, Paislee Downs, Lane Hubbard Downs, Elijah Spurling and Tanner Kirby; great-great-grandchild Jurnee Hope Deaton, dear friend Mamie Lou Allen, brother-in-law J.P. Bridges and wife Jeanette of Shelby and many nieces and nephews..
She was also preceded in death by her parents T.C. and Oneata Fagan Vassey, sisters Wendell Goodwin and Marion Vassey, brother Aldon Vassey, After lovingly caring for her children and grandchildren for many years, she joined her husband in the family business - Baird Furniture Company - from 1976 until her retirement in 1999. She was a lover of gospel music and helped manage the daughters group, the Bridges Sisters, for many years. During the many years the daughters traveled, as an accomplished seamstress she made all of the singing dresses, and also played bass guitar for the sisters. She also sang with the Bridges Family and the Lily Quartet and loved playing the piano. She was a Christian of the Baptist faith and attended several churches, following her husband's calling as a music director. These included Bethel Baptist Church, Lily Baptist Church, Union Baptist Church, and Second Baptist Church - all in Shelby. She was a member of the Woodmen of the World. She loved watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in sports and any other endeavor and always expressed unconditionally love for each one. She loved to garden and provided fresh fruits and vegetables for weekly Sunday lunches for her family up until her death. A favorite past-time was riding her golf cart, oftentimes with family.
A celebration of going home will be held at Clay Barnette Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 24th. The Reverends Marvin C. Green, John Barnhardt and Allen Davis will officiate. The celebration will include music by the family. A private family burial will be held at Cleveland Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the home on Thursday and Friday from 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials to Child Evangelism Fellowship designated for John and Carole Barnhardt P.O. Box 797 Boiling Springs, NC 28017 or to Wendover Hospice, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150 in memory of our loving mother and "Granny". The family would like to express our sincere thanks for the staff of Wendover Hospice for providing loving care for our precious Mother and Granny and support for our family members during this brief illness. Clay-Barnette Funeral Home is serving the family. |
