Bridges Family Reunion

Joseph Shuford Bridges, II was born July 15, 1888 in Cherokee County, SC to Joseph Shuford Bridges, I  and Adlaid Norris Bridges.  He was one of nine children who grew up farming.  He was one generation removed from slavery.  Joseph who was lovingly called “Joe” was not permitted a formal education but taught himself to read, write, and compute through his farm work.

In 1910 at the age of twenty-two he married a lovely, vivacious nineteen year old Senora Thompson.  They had fifteen children; Dewood, Esther, V-Esther, Garland, Jessie, Winfred, Eddie Leroy, Aileen, Furman, Pon, Robert Eugene, William, Senora, Roberta Pauline, and Franklin. He made a good living for his big family as a sharecropper in North and South Carolina during the 1920’s and early 1930’s.

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal” in 1933 brought opportunities for sharecroppers.  Joe set out to buy enough farm equipment and stock to receive a greater return for his family’s labor.  By the end of the late 1930’s he was   keeping two thirds of his crop production instead of a half share.  This meant more money and food on the table  for his family.

In 1943 he purchased a seventy-two acre farm-site in northern Cleveland County near Waco, North Carolina.  He farmed the land for nearly twenty years before supervising the development of a residential community on the site.  The community is called Bridges Estates. It has   two main roads, Bridges Circle and Thompson Drive where family descendents still live.

In 1971 Joe and Senora with the help of their elder son, Dewood organized the first family reunion.  It was held on the front lawn of the original home site.  Annually on the fourth Sunday in July the descendants of   Joe and Senora Thompson Bridges meet and celebrate a rich legacy.

The second generation began planning annual reunion events in 1990.  During its first organizational meeting Robert Bridges was appointed president.  Under his leadership the second generation implemented a plan to recognize the contributions of the first generation.

The plan that was developed profiled the first generation in two ways.  The families of the first generation in part I of the plan wrote biographical profiles and selected special gifts for them.  The family reunion planned the honorary dinners where the profiles and gifts were presented.  Dewood Bridges, Sr. was the first to be profiled.   He was honored July 22, 1990.  Robert Eugene Bridges was the last first generation family member to be honored.  He was profiled July 27, 1996.  In part II of the plan, first generation families selected colors for t-shirts provided by the reunion.    The t-shirts were worn the year the first generation member or members were profiled.  The colors included light blue, purple, royal blue, teal, black, and gold.  The family tree on the front of the t-shirt had the names, Joe and Senora and their children, the first generation.  On the back of the t-shirts were the names of the first generation family members profiled and their descendants. 

The Bridges families purchased the t-shirts.  The funds generated were used to facilitate the next year’s event.  Do you know the color your family selected?

In 2003 the reunion recognized the men and women of the family for their dedication and contributions to our country and community.  “Patriotism and the Family” was the theme.

There were six men, sons of Joe and Senora, from the first generation who served in the military.  Their commitment to our country spanned from World War II to the Korean War.  Five of them were in service at the same time.  It’s hard to image the sleepless nights and the pain of fear Joe and Senora felt every time the postman came early or strangers appeared at their door.  This is what “Patriotism” is -------- giving everything you have to your country.  A country that often didn’t recognize your civil rights.

The second and third generations and their extended families continue their patriotic support and dedication to our country.  Their military services include Vietnam to Iraq.  Many other family members at home serve the community and nation as police and fire persons.  These are the most dangerous of all jobs, keeping the country and community safe!

Military Service

First Generation                               Branch of Service

Jessie Bridges  (deceased)                                  Army

Eddie Leroy Bridges, Sr.                                      Navy

Pon Bridges  (deceased)                                      Navy

Robert Eugene Bridges  (deceased)                  Marines

Furman Bridges                                                  Navy

William Bridges                                                   Army

Second Generation                          Branch of Service

Robert Bridges                                                  Army

Eddie Leroy Bridges, Jr.                                      Navy

Ronald Bridges                                                   Navy

Jerald Bridges  (deceased)                              Marines

Anthony “Tony” Bridges                                      Army

Robin Bridges                                                Marines

Willie Holmes                                                     Army

Robert Brooks                                                    Navy

Edward Malachi, Sr.                                            Army

Harold Gill                                                         Army

Third Generation                             Branch of Service

Edward Malachi, Jr.                                            Army

Dalawna Malachi                                                Army

Antoine Gill                                                Air Force

Johnny Metts, Jr.                                              Army

Valeria Browne                                                   Navy

Robert Browne                                                  Army

Ronald LaPlante                                                 Army

Community Service

First Generation                                 Dept. of Service

Pon Bridges  (deceased)                           Police Dept.

Eddie Leroy Bridges, Sr.                           Sheriff Dept.

Second Generation                             Dept. of Service

Captain Furma Denise Bridges                    Police Dept.

Price A. Webber, Jr.                                Fire Dept.

Third Generation                                Dept. of Service

Russell Corry                               Highway Patrol Dept.

The Bridges Family Reunion Scholarship Program was established in 2004.   It honors the memory of Joe and Senora Thompson Bridges.  The goal of the program is to recognize family members who excel academically beyond high school.  The family members who received the first scholarships are as follows:

• Randi Bridges, granddaughter of Robert Bridges
• Rashonda Bridges, daughter of Ronald Bridges
• LaTora Crowe, granddaughter of Trilby Crowe
• Lynn Holmes, daughter of Laura Holmes
• Kevin Washington, son of Peggy Washington

The scholarships are awarded annually during the Traditional Family Gathering of the reunion.

 “Living Lessons for the Future,” a play in three acts, was performed at the Cleveland Community College auditorium on July 23, 2005.  It was written by Robert Bridges in 1999 to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the reunion. It featured reflections from the lives of Joe and Senora from their wedding in 1910 to 1971, the first Bridges Family Reunion. The actors and actresses performing in the play were second, third, and fourth generation descendants of Joe and Senora.  The audience included family members and friends. 

A reception immediately followed the play in honor of the first generation, the children of Joe and Senora.  As part of the reception they shared their reactions about the play through video interviews.  The performance is available to the family on DVD or VHS.

The second year of the scholarship program recognized five family members.  Three family members from the third generation; Carol Holmes, Lynn Holmes and Kevin Washington as well as two fourth generation family members; Randi Bridges and LaTora Crowe received scholarships.  They were presented July 24, 2005 at the Traditional Family Gathering.                                                                         (Revised, 2005)