James Floyd "Jay" Bridges

James Floyd "Jay" Bridges, Jr., 89, of Cresthill Dr., Morganton, NC died unexpectedly Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at his residence. He was born July 4, 1917 in South Turkey Creek in Buncombe County, NC, and was the son of the late James Floyd Bridges, Sr. and Nannie Bell Knight Bridges. In addition to his parents, Jay was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Jackson. He worked in the US Naval Shipyard at Newport News, VA., and then retired from Blue Cross-Blue Shield after over 30 years of employment. Jay was a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church where he was a member of the Huffman Bible Class.He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Eloise Garrett Bridges of the home; his children, Charlotte Ann Bridges Duncan and husband, Rev. C. Richard Duncan of Montclair, VA, Shirley Bridges-Owen of Morganton, J. Michael Bridges and wife, Deborah, and Keith T. Bridges and wife, Danette Steelman-Bridges, all of Morganton; a sister, Helen Jackson of Leicester, NC; grandchildren, Richard David Duncan and wife, Christine, James Robert Bridges and wife, Elizabeth, Anna Catherine Wheeler and husband, Sam, Elizabeth Nicole Murphy and husband, Andy, Michael Keith Bridges, Jennifer Beth Hines and husband, C.J., Erin Owen, Joshua Keith Bridges, Mark Thomas Bridges, and Stephen James Bridges, Kelly Garrett DiFoggio and husband, Mario, Justin Garrett, Chase Garrett; and great grandchildren, Jake and Will Duncan, Jace, Liam, and Hana Bridges, Thomas and Isabelle Wheeler, Eva Murphy, and Ellie Hines.Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, June 14, 2007 at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Thomas A. Bland, Jr., Rev. Fred Schuszler, Rev. Bill Rotan, and Rev. C. Richard Duncan officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday in the church parlor following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Youth Ministry, PO Drawer 459, Morganton, NC 28680.