Mary Lou Bridges

Mary Lou Bridges, age 92 of Cape Girardeau, MO, passed away peacefully at 4:08 AM Thursday morning October 24, 2019 at Ratliff Care Center surrounded by her family. She was born August 21, 1927 in Union County, the daughter of Roy and Mary Coats Roach. Seven brothers would follow. Bob, Bill, Jim, Jack, John, Kenny and Mike. Jack (Wilma) of Anna and Kenny (Linda) of Jonesboro 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) on June 27th, 1947. They were married just shy of 46 years. Gene passed away om June 3, 1993.To this union was born two sons. Randy (Christine) Bridges of Anna and Rodney (Dimple) Bridges of Cape Girardeau, Mo. 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, Mo, Brandy (Jimmy) Storck of Franklin, TN, and Hayley (Derek) Hood of Carterville.She was GeeGee (great grandma) to ten great grandsons and 8 great grand daughters and two great great grandchildren. She loves them all dearly and tried to spend as much time with them, and all the families as she could. Truly the matriarch of the family.She 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 the International Shoe Company in Ann when she was 16 and she retired from there, Florsheim Shoe Company. She was an incredible cook, loved to sew, and love 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. She leaves behind a legacy of Believers, confident in knowing with certainty, we 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, she died as she lived beautiful and full of dignity on her own terms and without complaint. For as long as anyone can remember, she has said that she wanted to die in October, the most beautiful month of the year. And she did.Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 27, 2019 in the United Methodist Church in Anna with Rev. Dick Sullins officiating. Interment will be in the Anna City Cemetery next to her beloved Gene. Friends may call from 12:00 noon until the service hour at 2:00 p.m. in the United Methodist Church. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Francis Hospice or Anna United Methodist Church. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.The family would like to thank all of her amazing caregivers at St Francis Hospice and Ratliff Care Center in Caper Girardeau, MO for your outstanding display of love, affection and concern. And a very special thank you to one of her nurses Chris for adopting her "fur baby" Lucy Lou. Visitation Service Sunday, October 27, 2019,12:00PM-2:00PM Anna United Methodist Church 111 West Monroe Street Anna, Illinois 62906 Memorial/Funeral Service Sunday, October 27, 2019,2:00PM Anna United Methodist Church 111 West Monroe Street Anna, Illinois 62906 Cemetery Service Sunday, October 27, 2019,3:00PM Anna Cemetery West Davie Street Anna, Illinois 62906