Marie Jones Bridges

Marie Jones Bridges, Professor Emeritus, North Georgia College and State University, died on Saturday, April 9, 2011, from complications of Parkinson's Disease. She was preceded in death by her sons, Dr. Robert E. Bridges, Jr., Scott M. Bridges, and James P. Bridges.

Mrs. Bridges was born on August 25th, 1929, to Pauline Winn and Martin Leman Jones. She was educated in the public schools of Desota County, Florida, where she was salutatorian of her graduating class in 1946. Marie then attended Emory University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and met her future husband, Bob, whom she married in 1950.

For the first twenty years of her marriage, Marie was a full-time homemaker who devoted herself to nurturing five children. She was also a partner in ministry with her husband as they served United Methodist Churches in North Georgia. In 1970, Marie returned to Emory where she earned a Master's Degree in the Teaching of Psychiatric Nursing. She then taught in the Nursing Department at Kennesaw State College and University until 1975.

In 1975, Mrs. Bridges joined the faculty of North Georgia College and State University, where she assisted in establishing the Nursing Department. For the next seventeen years, she taught Psychiatric Nursing and was a pioneer in the use of a maximum-security prison as a clinical setting for the teaching of Psychiatric Nursing. Marie wrote an article about her experiences at Alto Prison, which was published in the American Journal of Nursing in 1978, the same year that the Georgia Nurses Association named Marie the Ninth District Nurse of the Year.

In 1991, the year that she retired, Marie was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Four years later, she and James (Jiggs) Godfrey, organized the Lake Country Shakers, a support group for people with PD and their spouses. In the years that followed, group members have come from all ten of the Northeast GA counties, as well as from the metro Atlanta area. The "Shakers" still thrive, having celebrated their 17th birthday this year. The group has more than 50 active members.

Mrs. Bridges was a past president of the Gainesville Pilot Club and was very active in her church, St. Paul United Methodist. At St. Paul, she was a popular Sunday School Teacher and was instrumental in founding The Caring Committee. Marie not only helped to organize, but also named FLOW, short for Fun and Leisure On Wednesday, a group where older adults gather weekly for fellowship and enrichment.

Mrs. Bridges is survived by her husband of 60 years, Dr. Robert E. Bridges, Sr., her daughter, Kathy Huie and her husband Richard, and her son, Lee Bridges. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Robert Mark and Kathryn Marie Huie, David Scott and Margaret Marie Bridges. Kaitlyn Marie Kennedy is the only great grandchild and was a constant source of pride and joy to her great grandmother. Marie is also survived by her sister, Diane Camp, a very special niece, Debbie Barnes, and by her caregiver and loving friend, Pat Abernathy. Marie's precious ShizTzu, Daisy, was her constant companion.

A memorial service will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church on Monday, April 11 at 11am with the Rev. Calvin Haney officiating. The family will receive friends at a reception in the church fellowship hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are invited to either St. Paul United Methodist Church, 404 Washington St., Gainesville, GA 30501 or, the David Scott Bridges Educational Fund, c/o Town of Bethlehem, P.O. Box 210, Bethlehem, GA 30620.

Those wishing to send online condolences may do so at www.littledavenport.com
Little and Davenport Funeral Home 355 Dawsonville Hwy. Gainesville, GA 770-534-5201