Obituary of Josephine Bridges

Josephine Bridges, affectionately known as “Bam” by family, friends and loved ones, was the fifth child of the late George and Ethel (Reese) Bridges, Sr. After 91 years, she peacefully folded her tent from labor to reward on Sunday, December 5th, 2021 at Brooklyn Hospital Center in Brooklyn, New York. Josephine was born on December 22nd, 1929 and was raised in Bennettsville, South Carolina where she attended the Marlboro County Public Schools from grade school through high school. At an early age she received Christ as her personal savior and joined Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Petros B. Mdodana. She enjoyed playing the piano and learned to play at an early age with some of her siblings. She later joined the junior choir where she sometimes served as the pianist. Josephine was a very smart patient, and helpful child. She would often help her mother by getting her siblings ready in the mornings for school. She enjoyed playing dodge ball outside and was easy to get along with. She was described as quiet, much like her mother. Josephine relocated to Brooklyn, New York in her early twenties where she connected with Mt. Sinai Baptist Church where she was an active member until her health failed in 2019. Josephine then spent her remaining days at the Hopkins Center for Rehabilitation. One of her favorite hymns was, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Before falling ill, she enjoyed going to the Fort Greene Senior Center with her sister Irene where they enjoyed the various activities that were offered, especially Bingo. Josephine was adventurous, one of her favorite pastimes was traveling across the boroughs to visit with family members to enjoy Sunday dinner because Josephine was a cleaner, not a cook. She was prayerful and enjoyed reading the bible. She took great pride in her appearance, with a fondness for the colors blue, pink and white. Josephine believed in keeping a nice, beautiful home and watching the soap opera, General Hospital. Over the years, she made frequent visits back to her hometown in South Carolina with her sister Ophelia and brother-in-law, the late Edward Richardson Sr. and other siblings. Josephine started her career at Cumberland Hospital which later became Woodhull Hospital in downtown Brooklyn and was a valued Nurse’s Assistant until her retirement. After retirement, she then became the caretaker for her sister, Ethel Lee. Josephine had no children of her own but loved her family unconditionally and they loved her. She mentored, cared for, and looked after all of Ethel Lee’s children and grandchildren as if they were her own. She would also visit her youngest sister Iola practically every day after Iola entered Bushwick Center for Rehabilitation. Proceeding her in death are her brothers – Willie B. Bridges, George Bridges, Jr., O’Daniel Bridges, Claude Bridges and her nephew, Henry James Bridges who was viewed as a brother; sisters – Annie Jane Matthews, Lillie Mae Bridges, Rosa Lean Dobbs and Iola Bridges. Josephine leaves to cherish fond memories, three sisters – Irene Bridges, Ophelia Richardson and Ethel Lee Bruce, of Brooklyn; brother-in-law – Eddie Dobbs of Brooklyn; eight nieces – Annette Twine of Brooklyn, Rev. Dr. Edith E. Bridges of Bennettsville, SC, Cheryl Richardson, Marlene Smith (Curtis), Elinda Dobbs-Williams (Edward), Navonia Richardson-Dyette (Curtis), Chiquina Richardson-Calhoun (John) and Althea Bridges, of Brooklyn; nephews – Herbert Bridges of New Jersey, Joseph Bridges (Yvette), Steve Bruce and O’Daniel Bridges, Jr. of New York; Kevin Bruce, George Bridges III, Michael Bridges of Brooklyn. She also leaves twelve great nieces, fourteen great nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.