Charles Bridges Obituary

Charles Washington Bridges III, 89, of Damascus, GA passed away at his home on Thursday, July 24, 2025. His funeral will be held Monday morning, July 28, 2025, at 11 am in the chapel of Manry-Jordan-Hodges Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Pullen officiating. Visitation will be held Monday morning starting at 10 am until funeral time. Burial to follow at Blakely Cemetery. Active pallbearers are Trey Davis, Quinn Dowdy, Cason Vickers, Tom Davis, Keith Houston and Scott Warren. Honorary pallbearers are Jack Sanders, Garrett Vann, Brad Waller, Teddy Waller, Jody Glass, Jake Potter, Jessie Williams and Jason Williams.

Charles was born in Damascus, GA on August 5, 1935, to the late Charles Washington Bridges Jr. and Ella Mae Bridges. He was a member of Damascus Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Agricultural Education from The University of Georgia. He began his education career at Edison High School as an Ag teacher in 1957. He took a position at Broxton High School where he taught until he returned to Damascus to farm full time in 1961. In addition to managing his own farm, he served as President of Early County’s Farm Bureau chapter from 1965 to 1971. He was a member of the Georgia Peanut Commission board from 1972 to 1974. He and his wife, Vivian, became co-founding members of Southwest Georgia Academy, where he served on the school’s board from 1970 to 1983.

Above all, Charles was a story teller. At every meal or gathering, he had a story and a smile to share. His favorite stories were the funny ones, even though they got him in trouble on occasion. He had a quick wit and a dry sense of humor. He loved to make people laugh, including himself. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Charles was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Vivian Bridges; his parents Charles Washington Bridges Jr. and Ella Mae Bridges, and his two sisters, Iliene Tollerson and Mae Houston. He is survived by his two daughters, Cindy Bridges Brown of Damascus, GA, and Suzanne Bridges Dowdy and her husband Miller of Plant City, FL, and his son, Charles "Chas" Bridges, IV and his wife Tonja of Damascus, GA. He has 6 grandchildren, Trey Davis and his wife Paige of Arlington, GA, Megan Dowdy of Orlando, FL, Quinn Dowdy of Plant City, FL, Madison Bridges of Damascus, GA, Logan Bridges Vann and her husband Garrett of Colquitt, GA, and Sutton Bridges Potter and her husband Jake of Sylvester, GA. There are five great grandchildren, Tom Davis, Cason Vickers and Addison McLendon of Arlington, GA, Vivian Grace Warren of Damascus, GA, and Riley Vann of Colquitt, GA, and two honorary great grandchildren, Pearce and Walker Williams of Damascus, GA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Southwest Georgia Academy Ag Program. Donations can be mailed to 14105 GA-200, Damascus, GA 39841