F. Ralph Bridges

F. Ralph Bridges, 91, of Valdosta, died on Thursday, August 27 at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC. Born in Lowndes County in 1917 to Lee Roy and Louise Ralf Bridges, he lived in this area for most of his life. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and retired from the Eli Witt Company after more than 40 years as a warehouse manager. During his retirement he co-founded the Valdosta Soup Kitchen and insured its success. Under his supervision the kitchen has served more than one million meals over the past 25 years. Mr. Bridges was a member of Crossroads Baptist Church and formerly Lee Street Baptist Church where he held numerous leadership positions. Devoted to his wife of 65 years, Virginia Dodson Bridges, who preceded him in death, he left a tangible example of love,
service, and faith to all who knew him.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Forrest and Inez Bridges of Hahira; a daughter and son-in-law, Ginny and Bill Ireland of Winston-Salem, NC; six grandchildren, King (Andrea) Bridges of Hahira, Nichole (Kevin) Berryhill of Lakeland, Graham (Faith) Bridges of Homerville, Greg (Tonya) Stalvey of Hahira, Tiersa Stalvey of Hahira and Mary Virginia Ireland of Winston-Salem, NC and 12 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by one brother, Russell Bridges.

Funeral services for Mr. Bridges will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 31 in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home. Dr. Ken Alford, Dr. Bill Ireland, and Rev. Charlie Scarbrough will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, August 30 from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the Crossroads Baptist Church building fund or the Valdosta Soup Kitchen. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.



Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602