Obituary of Mae Betty Bridgers

Mae Elizabeth Nelms Bridgers, 96, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 10, 2013. She was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on March 5, 1917. She was the daughter of Lemuel Bert and Louise Cooper Nelms. In 1925 the family moved to Chattanooga where she lived until 2007 when she moved to Cleveland to be closer to her daughter. She was a graduate of Bright School, Girls Preparatory School and the University of Chattanooga; she attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She taught school at Lookout Mountain, Oak Grove and Missionary Ridge Elementary Schools. She cherished her Methodist heritage. Her grandparents, Thomas and Elizabeth Kennedy Nelms were charter members of Broad Street Methodist Church in Kingsport and were instrumental in the formation of the church. For over 80 years Mrs. Bridgers was a faithful member of First Centenary United Methodist Church where she was very active in the United Methodist Women, The Friendship Class, the Altar Guild and served on numerous church committees. She was most proud that she was chairman of the committee on worship at the time that the new sanctuary was built. After her move to Cleveland she became an associate member of Broad Street United Methodist Church where she was a member of the Fealty Sunday School Class and FRINS. Mrs. Bridgers was involved in many historical societies. She was state president of the Daughters of Colonial Wars, president of the Volunteer- Wauhatchie Chapter of the United States Daughters of 1812, and an active member of the Chief John Ross Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for many years. Since her move to Cleveland she joined the Ocoee Chapter of DAR and the Jefferson Davis Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. As a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority at the University of Chattanooga, she later was involved in the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club and president and long-time secretary of the Pi Beta Phi Book Club. Also she was president of the Founder’s Club of Girls Preparatory School. Through the years she was a member of several bridge clubs and continued playing with friends after her move to Garden Plaza of Cleveland. She is preceded in death by her husband, Donelson Lee Bridgers. She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Jackson and husband, Ron Jackson, and her grandson, Keith Jackson and wife, Amanda Thompson Jackson and great-grandson, Norris Jackson. The family would like to thank the staff of Garden Plaza and Life Care of Cleveland for their compassionate and dedicated care of their mother and grandmother. In Cleveland the family will receive friends at Broad Street United Methodist Church on Tuesday, November 12 from 1-3 PM. In Chattanooga they will receive friends at First Centenary United Methodist Church on Wednesday, November 13 from 1-2 PM. Her funeral will follow in the Kate Lyle Chapel. Interment will be at Forest Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to First Centenary United Methodist Church, Broad Street United Methodist Church, Girls Preparatory School or the charity of your choice. Share your memories at wannfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by Wann Funeral Home & Cremation Center, at the foot of Historic Lookout Mountain, St. Elmo. 821-7551