Mr. Roosevelt Bridges

To my family, my friends, and those who cross my path: if you are reading this, it means my time here has come to an end. I transitioned to my heavenly home on Friday 29, 2026 at the age of 83 years old. While saying goodbye is hard, I want to share a bit of the beautiful life I was fortunate enough to live. My Journey began on December 1, 1942, in Silver Creek, MS, when I was welcomed into the world by my loving parents, Julius "Big Juke" and Corene "Big Baby" Bridges. They taught me about the love of God and that it is our faith that sustains us. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior at China Lee Baptist Church. Growing up in a large family (I was the third child of thirteen children, and the oldest boy), I learned the value of hard work. From cutting, loading, and driving the pulp wood truck with Daddy, to feeding the hogs before and after school, to working in the vegetable garden with Mother, work ethic was instilled at an early age. My "green thumb" came from Mother, and I truly enjoyed keeping my yard trimmed and watching the flowers bloom. I also enjoyed playing basketball, and I became a great ball player. I attended McCullough High School in Monticello, MS, which paved the way for my college years. I later enrolled and graduated from Prentiss Institute in 1962, with an Associate's Degree in Agriculture. From there, I moved to New Orleans, LA to work and live with my aunt and uncle who happens to be my namesake. While working one summer, Uncle Roosevelt encouraged me to continue my education, and, because of my basketball skills, I received a scholarship to Rust College in Holly Springs, MS. There, I met Janice, the love of my life and Miss Rust College. After graduating from Rust, I was a student teacher at St. Mary's Catholic School in Holly Springs where I worked for two years. My time there is where I really began to discover what I cared about and how I wanted to leave my mark on the world. Shortly thereafter, I moved to Columbus, MS (where Janice was already teaching) and worked as a teacher and coach at Motley School. I coached the first basketball, baseball and football teams at Motley and coached all three sports at the same time! Later, I earned a Master's Degree in Administration from Mississippi State University and became principal of Motley High School (now West Lowndes High School). After 43 years, I retired from the field of education but continued to coach basketball for six more years. Because of hard work and dedication, we never had a losing season, and our Panthers went on to six sub-district championships and to the North State tournament four times. (To God be the glory!) Of all the work I've done, my personal life, the people I loved and the moments we shared, were my greatest achievements. On December 21, 1968, I married Janice Kay Jones. (Wow! 57 years. What a blessing) Building a life together was an incredible adventure, full of laughter, support, and a shared love for education, family, and serving the Lord. St. James United Methodist Church of Columbus, MS became our family's place of worship. I served with the United Methodist Men, as Superintendent of Sunday School, on the Board of Trustees, as an Usher, and as a member of the Men's Choir. When I wasn't working, you could usually find me fishing, hunting, or at a sporting event. I always tried to find joy in the little things and never took a day for granted. I believed in showing up for the things and people that mattered. Over the years, I was blessed to be a part of some incredible organizations that allowed me to give back to the community. Those include, serving on the Board of the Columbus/Lowndes Parks and Recreation, where I spent time focusing on making sure children had suitable athletic facilities to play and enjoy team sports; serving on the Board of Mississippi High School Activities Association, an organization that taught me so much about teamwork and community; and a lifelong member Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., where I found great fellowship and lifelong friends. My legacy and love live on through my family and loved ones: my beautiful and devoted wife, Janice; my loving children, Shun (Shalom), Angela, Kori (Tracy), and Krystal (Dexter); my precious grandchildren, Quintin, Aaliyah, Aaron, Laness, Natallia, Tyler, Dexter, Jr., and Kaylin, my special grandson, Omar Johnson- Jones, my caring siblings, Annie Lou Hill, Willene Peyton, Narcissie Payton, Genevia Walton, Jerry Bridges (Robin), Rev. Sonny Bridges (Janice), Ralph Bridges, Jimmy Ray Bridges (Candice), Eloise Tucker, and Deborah Ann Starks (Wayne); my kind brother-in law, Charles Jones (Deloise), my "Road Dawg" and brother, Jerome Miller (Willie Matt), my wonderful nieces and nephews. I have gone to join those who went before me, my Daddy and Mother, Julius and Corene Bridges, my sister, Mary Lou Gaines, my brother, Julius Bridges, Jr.; my brothers-in-law, Matthew Hill, Randolph Peyton, Franklin Payton, Ira Lee Walton, Dean Jones, Gregory Jones; my sisters-in-law, Gilda Haynes Bridges, Betty Slay Bridges, Dorothy McComb Jones, and Kathy Wilkins Jones; my nieces, Barbara Curney and Karen "KK" Peyton; and my nephew Daryl Bridges. Well, that's all for now. Remember to hold on to God's unchanging hand, and one day, I'll meet you on the other shore.

Mr. Roosevelt Bridges

December 1, 1942 - May 29, 2026

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Mr. Roosevelt Bridges

December 1, 1942 - May 29, 2026

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support