Marian Louise Bridges

Marian Pickrell Bridges – 94 of Lakeland, Georgia passed away on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at her son’s home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on May 6, 1928 in Rushville, Indiana to the late William Harvey Pickrell and Vida Louise (Frow) Pickrell.
We’ve always been so proud of her, our Mama. She lived her life on her own terms, loved hard, and triumphed through personal storms. If life was good to her, she embraced it. If life slapped her around, she gave it a gut punch in return. So grounded in her tenets, outside world forces never dared to encroach on her fortitude. During her entire life, she gave her family joy, wisdom, strength, and courage. And she faced death with the same attributes.
In her final days she shared with us some parting wisdom and courage. She rather nicely gave us a few orders.
Do not cry.
Always love and support one another.
Take care of your families.
Do not worry about me. I’m ok. I’m ready to see Jack, Cheryl, Mama, and Daddy, if he’s not being ornery.
I’ve had a good life. I have no regrets.
I hope your daddy and I demonstrated what love looks like.
My family is my greatest achievement. I don’t want to leave you. (the only time she cried)
I love you.
After attending the University of Georgia, her blood became a swirl of red and black. We can never remember a time when we did not root for the Dawgs. After we left the nest, Mama called after every touchdown, and we woofed woofed together on the phone.
She took her job as a school teacher very seriously, teaching her students while urging them to grow and think. Always think.
Unity Methodist Church was more than brick and mortar to her. It was Holy Ground, and she represented well. More importantly, she served when no one was watching.
We never heard our Mama preach to anyone, spout off scripture, or judge. What we did witness all through our lives is how she humbly gave of herself. She fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the lonely and forgotten, and gave refuge to the homeless. She was His servant.
While paying her back was an impossibility, taking care of her in her finality was an honor and a privilege for it is written, “But the greatest of these is love.”
Those that she has joined are her husband, Jack Bridges, daughter, Cheryl Bridges and her parents.
Those she left behind: (Sorry Mama, but we cried.)
Children: Mary Louise Henning (Daryl), Bill Bridges (Judy), Lea Land (Tony), Steve Bridges; grandchildren: Jason Waters (Julie), David Waters (Nikki), Dusty Land (Lindsay), JoJo Land (Tonya), Kaycee Land Smith–HER FAVORITE PERSON- (Glenn); great-grands: Sarah Beth, Brittney, Rylan, Sydney, Isabel, Pax, Jack, Brooks, and Vida.
Until later.
(Special message to my beloved granddaughter: Listen for me. From the heavens, I will be singing, “A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck. I love my sweet Kaycee.”
Mama said, “Please don’t wear black at my funeral. It’s too morbid.” Dress accordingly.
A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, August 7, 2022 in Unity United Methodist Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM on Sunday, August 7, 2022. Any of her former students and colleagues are asked to serve as honorary pallbearers and are asked to be at the church by 2:45 PM on Sunday. Kind words and expressions of sympathy can be left for the family at www.musicfuneralservices.com . The Bridges family is being served by the professional and caring staff of Music Funeral Services of Lakeland.