Joe L "BUS" Bridges

Joe L “Bus” Bridges departed this life on April 4, 2023, at the age of 85 at the Southeast Louisiana Veteran Medical Center in New Orleans, LA. He was born on June 28, 1937, in Tylertown, MS to the union of the late Bozie and Ouida Quinn Bridges.

He confessed Christ at an early age and was a member of West Sunny Hill Missionary Baptist Church of Tylertown, MS.  He entered the U.S. Navy in January 1956 and while on leave, he married wife Rosiella Bridges on November 17, 1956.

Joe’s military career lasted 20 years as he retired in February 1976 with an Honorable discharge.  He received the Good Conduct Medal in 1959 while aboard the USS Turner. While in the Navy, he endured and survived 3-tours of the Vietnam War era.  During wartime he received a Navy Unit commendation, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and National Defense Service Medal. He was also involved in Racial Awareness Facilitator Training.  Upon retirement he went back to school to be trained as a Heating & Cooling Technician. He moved on to work in the field of security where he worked at the BP Oil Refinery in Plaquemines Parish then on to Dillard University.  After Hurricane Katrina he worked at Xavier University until his wife convinced him to let some younger people have that job.  He really enjoyed being around the students at both universities.

He joined Second Baptist Church after some time retiring from the US Navy where he was a faith full member of the Adult Sunday School Class until his health declined. We often wondered and teased him, was he eager to get to Sunday School or just in a rush to get to his favorite parking spot and to his favorite seat on that favorite pew. Joe enjoyed his weekly or daily phone calls to his grandchildren, siblings, and cousins.  

He was an avid television viewer.  He particularly enjoyed watching cowboy shows & movies as well as his favorite sports teams out of Los Angeles, CA the Rams, Lakers & Dodgers.  Watching golf was also something he enjoyed.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Bozie & Oudia Quinn Bridges; sisters Edith Lee Bridges Carr; Etta Ruth Bridges Collins; stepmother Sallie Patterson Bridges; adopted sister Anita “Debbie” Bridges Cotton; stepsister Willene Simmons and stepbrother Clenard “Bill” Simmons; His Father & Mother-in-Law Coy Bridges & Daisy Parkman Bridges Mark; 3 Brother-in-Laws Roosevelt Richard of New Orleans, C.L Bridges of Flint, Michigan, J.L. Bridges of Wynona, Mississippi; 2 Sister-in-Laws Lillie Bell Bridges Brown of New Orleans, LA; Bonnie Ratcliff of Tylertown, Mississippi; a Niece Glenda Richard of Prairieville, LA, Great Niece Latoya Collins McKinney; and a Nephew Carl Lee Carr of Chicago, Illinois.

Joe leaves to cherish his memories his wife of 66 years Rosiella; 5 children Mary (David) Harris of Tylertown, MS; Rosie Bridges Garrett a; Jerry L (Angela) Bridges of Harvey, Louisiana; Joe L (Stephanie) Bridges, Jr. of New Orleans, Louisiana; Fitzgerald (Linda) Bridges of Fairfield, California; 12 Grandchildren; 23 Great Grandchildren. Siblings Barbara “Bobbie” Bridges Richards and Charles E Bridges, Sr.  of Prairieville, LA; Glenda “Jean” Bridges Turner of New Orleans, LA; James (Girdean) Dillon of Tylertown, MS and Mary Lee Nash of Summit, MS.  A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the celebration of life services which will be held on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at Second Baptist Church located at 2836 Sullen Place, New Orleans, LA 70131.  The visitation will begin at 9 a.m., and the service will begin at 10 a.m.  Pastor Andre’ Sigler officiating, and interment will follow on Friday, April 14, 2023, at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Slidell, LA at 10 a.m.  

Due to Covid – 19, facemasks are encouraged.  

Funeral planning entrusted to the caring staff at Robinson Family Funeral Home 9611 LA – 23, Belle Chasse, LA 70037 (504) 208 – 2119. 

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