Gertie Bridges

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- Gertie Bridges, 83, of East Prairie died Thursday, June 6, 2002, at East Prairie Nursing Center.

She was born Jan. 17, 1919, at Petit Jean Mountain, Ark., daughter of Jim and Ethel Cunningham Hale. She first married Ben Simpkins in 1956. He died in 1973. She married Ray Bridges in 1985, who died in 1988.

Bridges lived in Mississippi County most of her life, and was a retired farmer. She was a member of and Sunday School teacher at First Church of God. She had been a volunteer at East Prairie Nutrition Center since its beginning.

Survivors include three sons, Wilbur Hale of DeSoto, Mo., Donnie Wolford of Sikeston, Mo., James "Jim" Simpkins of Louisville, Ky.; three daughters, Patsy Grogan and Arvella Brown of East Prairie, Connie Moore of Festus, Mo.; two stepdaughters, Bernice Thresher of LaCenter, Ky., Mattie Prince of Charleston, Mo.; three stepsons, Carl and Roy Simpkins of East Prairie, and Johnny Simpkins of Charleston.

Also surviving are three brothers, Bertie Hale of East Prairie, Eugene Hale of Morristown, Tenn., Lowell Hale of Pekin, Ill.; a sister, Pauline Cooper of St. James, Mo.; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, three sisters, and a stepson.

Friends may call after 5 p.m. today at Shelby Funeral Home.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with Larry Smith and Rob Kespelher officiating. Burial will be in Dogwood Cemetery.