Bonnie Ilene Bridges, a resident of Mountain Grove and formerly of Willow Springs, passed away Thursday, June 8, 2023, while at Autumn Oaks Caring Center in Mtn. Grove after a short illness. She was born March 9, 1935, to Elmer and Keturah (Kite) Holcomb in a log cabin near Willow Springs, MO, and was 88 years old.
Bonnie attended the schools in Willow Springs, graduating with the Class of 1953. She married the love of her life, James Albert Bridges, Sr. on January 8, 1953, in West Plains, and this union was blessed with 5 children. Bonnie accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized at a young age; she later rededicated her life while attending First General Baptist in Willow Springs. In more recent years, she attended Emmanuel Baptist Church in Mtn. Grove with her son. Bonnie was an accomplished seamstress and made clothing for all her family. She worked alongside Jim and helped him in the logging business, doing carpentry, and raising a garden. They were well known for their produce and sold it locally to their customers. She also loved to can vegetables; however, she will be remembered by how lovingly she cared for her family. She will be dearly missed by her family, her friends, and all who knew her.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a sister, Kitty Halene Dobbs; and a brother, Pug Kite.
She is survived by her daughters: Bonnie Burtchett (Marvin) of Willow Springs, and Kitty Messerer (Tim) of Mtn. Grove; her sons: Bo Bridges (Renee) of Mtn. Grove, Tom Bridges (Lisa Scarbrough) of Willow Springs, and Jack Bridges (Karen) of St. Louis, MO. She is further survived by 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations in Bonnie’s memory may be made to the Willow Springs Scholarship Fund and may be left at the funeral home.
A visitation for Bonnie will be held Wednesday, June 14, 2023, from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. at Willow Funeral Home, LLC. The funeral service will be held Thursday, June 15, 2023, at ll:00 A.M. also at Willow Funeral Home, LLC with Pastor J.T. Tooley officiating. Interment will follow at the Pine Grove Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Willow Funeral Home, LLC. Online condolences may be left at www.willowspringsfuneralhome.com
