Mary Lou Bridges

Mary Lou Bridges, 92, of Cape Girardeau passed away peacefully at 4:08 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, at Ratliff Care Center surrounded by her family.

She was born Aug. 21, 1927, in Union County, Illinois, the daughter of Roy and Mary Coats Roach. Seven brothers would follow: Bob, Bill, Jim, Jack, John, Kenny and Mike. Jack (Wilma) Roach of Anna, Illinois, and Kenny (Linda) Roach of Jonesboro, Illinois, are still living. She was also predeceased by two half sisters, Helen Johnson and Geraldine Foster.

She married the love of her life, Leo Eugene "Gene" Bridges on June 27, 1947. They were married just shy of 46 years. Gene passed away June 3, 1993.

To this union was born two sons, Randy (Christine) Bridges of Anna and Rodney (Dimple) Bridges of Cape Girardeau. They both survive.

She is also survived by Randy's children, Scott (Heather) Carter of Anna and Angela (Ryan) Smith of Pocahontas. She was predeceased by Randy's daughter, Annette Carter Roach.

She is also survived by Rodney's children, Krista (Keith) Baker of Cape Girardeau, Brandy (Jimmy) Storck of Franklin, Tennessee, and Hayley (Derek) Hood of Carterville, Illinois.

She was GeeGee (great-grandma) to 10 great-grandsons and eight great-granddaughters and two great-great-grandchildren. She loved them all dearly and tried to spend as much time with them, and all the families, as she could. She was truly the matriarch of the family.

Mary was also survived by many cousins, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends. She leaves behind her precious little "fur baby," Lucy Lou.

She went to work at International Shoe Co. in Anna, when she was 16, and she retired from there, Florsheim Shoe Co.

She was an incredible cook, loved to sew and loved to crochet, making many dishrags, hand towels, baby blankets, "scrubbies" and sock caps for many young students.

She and her husband made a decision to follow Jesus at 26 years of age. They both served and loved Him all of the remaining days of their lives, serving as the patriarch and matriarch of Faith for generations to come. Mary leaves behind a legacy of believers, confident in knowing with certainty, they will all be together again worshiping the One True God for all of eternity.

She also leaves behind the best fried chicken and hush puppies to ever touch your lips, as well as a lineage of cooks hoping to somehow fill her shoes.

As witty as she was creative, as spunky as she was gracious, as funny as she was loving, Mary died as she lived: beautiful and full of dignity on her own terms and without complaint. For as long as anyone can remember, she said she wanted to die in October, the most beautiful month of the year. And she did.

Friends may call from noon until the funeral service hour at 2 p.m. Sunday at the United Methodist Church in Anna. Officiating will be the Rev. Dick Sullins. Interment will be in the Anna City Cemetery next to her beloved Gene.

Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Francis Hospice or Anna United Methodist Church. Envelopes will be available at Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna and at Anna United Methodist Church.

The family would like to thank all of her amazing caregivers at Saint Francis Hospice and Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau for their outstanding displays of love, affection and concern. And a very special thank you to one of her nurses, Chris, for adopting her "fur baby," Lucy Lou.

To leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.