Tribute

Tribute to Mama

The following tribute to Mama was written by her daughter, Judy, on the occassion of Mama's nineth birthday; it was updated following her death.

Imogene Bridges
A tribute to nine decades of the life of a wonderful woman

The First Decade	Imogene Leach Bridges was born near Plainview, AR on July 4, 1916. She was the fourth child and first girl of Ola Breashears and B. A. Leach. She was a shy but darling little girl. During the first decade of her life she was as a simple country girl living on a small farm with her parents, three older brothers and three younger sisters. A sister, Mildred, born after Imogene, lived only about two years. Imogene and her siblings went to school in a one room school house at Sunlight Bay; she completed the 8th grade.
The Second Decade	The second decade of her life brought more farming and house work. They raised cotton and had chickens and other farm animals. Imogene remembers cleaning the yard. Her parents were talented singers and during these years she and her family attended singing schools. These schools were usually a week long during the summer. She and her sisters, Hazel and Ernestine, sang all over the county at singings, decorations and other church events. Brothers, Odell, Hanford and Thurston played string instruments and Imogene and her sisters played the piano.
The Third Decade	Very early in Imogene’s third decade of life her mother succumbed to pneumonia (1937). Imogene was only 21. Although she was not able to go to Plainview daily to complete her education past 8th grade, the family did go to town on Saturday evenings in the wagon. It was during one of these trips she caught the eye of Hayes Bridges. He had returned home for a short time from New York City where he was working. He followed them home and asked her out on their first date – to a revival at the Church of Christ (well, it was some place to go). Imogene stayed on with her father and siblings until Hayes returned from New York City for good in about 1939. So in the third decade of her life‑‑May 3, 1941--she married Hayes Dale Bridges. They started their own family and launched a career of farming. Although Hayes also worked away from the farm throughout their years together, Imogene stayed close to home, gardening, canning and raising her three older children. Virginia Lou Bridges Zank April 28, 1942 John Robert Bridges February 14, 1944 Judy Elaine Bridges Chastain October 31, 1945
The Fourth Decade	By the forth decade of her life they had moved to the farm of their dreams two miles from Plainview. Her fourth and final child, William Ray Bridges (February 16, 1949‑‑February 9, 2004) was born. She was an active member of Salem Methodist church, playing the piano during the last years of the church’s life. She participated in the women’s church group and was involved with church youth while her children were active in MYF. She fondly remembers that a shining star in her social life was her membership in Eastern Star. She credits Eastern Star with propelling her from a shy country girl to a woman who held almost all offices/stations in that organization. She gained confidence to speak before large groups of people. As a farm wife and active member the community she took part in Cooperative Extension Home Demonstration Club.
The Fifth Decade	By the fifth decade of life Imogene had seen three of her children graduate high school and go to college. Her daughters married and her first grand child, Cynthia Gail Kugel was born. Her dad died in 1957 at age 68. She kept active with gardening, canning, farming and community activities
The Sixth Decade	Her last child, Bill, left home in the sixth decade of her life. He started college but soon he and brother, Bob joined branches of service and served overseas. These were worrisome years for Imogene. With more time on her hands and a need for peace she played the piano. She remembers playing for hours in the quiet of the afternoon. She learned to play by shape notes learned in singing school and continued her practicing using those books. This meant that she played church songs. She never got her hands on Bach or Mozart written in shape notes. But she does play some secular songs by ear. Also during these years her traveling picked up a little. Both Hayes parents, Matt & Eva Bridges, died. The families had never lived more that a couple of miles away for each other. Imogene perfected her domino playing skills with her in-law’s. By the end of this decade the Bridges has 5 of their 7 grandchildren. Oh, happy day. The light of her life is her family.
The Seventh Decade	The seventh decade of Imogene’s life was much like the sixth. They continued to farm and she gardened, canned, played piano, participated in Eastern Star and went more with her husband. Besides visiting family (Missouri, California, Hawaii, Canada) she and Hayes went on High School senior trips to several states and interesting cities. Hayes was a school bus driver for several years. She did have time to work outside her home/farm for a couple of years. She also worked at Plainview School in the cafeteria. She also got the last of her grandchildren and they were only a couple of hours away.
The Eighth Decade	Well, let’s face it, in the eight decade of life you might start to slow down. There were a more funerals to attend now, including her dear son-in-law, Martin Kugel. Although her knees and back started to wear out, she kept up with the gardening, canning and freezing.
The Nineth Decade	The ninth decade continued with many life changes. Her husband of 59 years died in June of 2000. The next year she moved away from Plainview for the first time in her life. She moved to Little Rock near her daughter, Judy and her family. She lived at Good Shepherd Retirement center for about 8 years….What?? a retirement center—that’s right no more gardening, canning, cooking or cleaning. She continued to play the piano, sing a little, play dominoes, cards and bingo. She celebrated the birth of her first grandchild, Lydara Sage Couch on June 15, 2003 and morned the death of her youngest son, Bill (February 2004). She maintained her membership in the Plainview United Methodist church but for many years was active in the Little Rock First United Methodist Church telephone Sunday School class. In January 2008 she celebrated the birth of three great grandchildren, twins Nathan and Madeleine Bridges, and Kane Xayavongsa. Her fifth great grandchild, Damon Bridges, was born the next January. In November 2009 she moved to the Presbyterian Village Nursing Home and later (July 2010) to Valley Ranch Nursing Home. She said her greatest joy was her family. She had extended family far and wide and had a great appreciation of all of them. She died peacefully on March 10, 2012; she was 95.