Ella Mae Bridges

Ella Mae (Freeman) Bridges was born in Griffin, Georgia within the Birdie Community to the late Jack and Hessie Freeman. She entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s. She joined Spring Hill Baptist Church at a young age and later joined Achaia Baptist Church in Griffin, Georgia where she was an active member during her early years. Ella grew up in Griffin, Georgia where she was affectionately known for her love of cooking, baking, and taking care of others. Later, she joined Spirit and Truth Ministries International in Griffin, Georgia where she worshiped before entering Pruitt Health. Ella was joined in holy matrimony to the late Paul Banks, Sr. she later married Sonny Flynt and after an extended time remarried and was joined by the late John Bridges in holy matrimony. She began her career at Griffin-Spalding County Hospital where she earned the title of Supervisor of Housekeeping before leaving and going to work for Dundee Mills (Plant #5). At Dundee Mills, she was one of the first females to be hired to work in the spinning room. As a trailblazer, she worked the midnight shift and went on to perform multiple jobs that had traditionally been reserved for men. While happy with her accomplishments, Ella wanted to do more centered around her first love of taking care of others and decided to attend Griffin Tech where she earned her Nurses Aide certification in September 1978. She used her newly learnt skill and began doing private duty sitting for patients. Ella leveraged her contacts to secure a job as a Sterile Processing Technician at Spalding Regional Hospital. In 1990, she returned to Griffin Tech and completed a secondary course work to earn her Patient Care Assistant certification. While she enjoyed working near the operating room, she missed taking care of others and decided to take a position working for the Home Health division of the hospital. Doing so allowed her to expand her private duty sitting clientele. As a Home Health Aide, she received meritorious awards for going above and beyond the call of duty on multiple occasions. In this role, Ella also had the pleasure of taking care of the late Herman Talmadge, Georgia Senator and Governor. From 2005 to 2007, Ella extended her love and care by being an annual donor to organizations supporting hospitalized veterans. Ella was preceded in death by her husband John Bridges, six brothers; Willie Thomas Freeman, Jack Carl Freeman, Edward Herman Freeman, John Ernest Freeman, Robert Freeman and Horace Freeman, three sisters; Bernice Banks, Marjorie Lois Cole, and Georgian Inez Freeman and three sons; Samuel Freeman, James Walther Banks, and Willie Thomas Banks. She leaves to cherish her memories one brother, Paul Freeman of Long Beach, California, sister, Ruby Ward of Griffin, Georgia, close cousin Jonny Calhoun of Griffin, Georgia and adult children Paul (Dr. Emerald) Banks of Miami, Florida, Martha Person of Hampton, Georgia, Robert (Barbara) Banks of Columbus, Georgia, Rickey Banks and Darryl (Angie) Banks of Griffin, Georgia, Dan (Teresa) Richardson of Stockbridge, Georgia and a host of nieces, nephews, 22 grandchildren, 60 great grandchildren, 9 great great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) in memory of Ella. Visitation for Mrs. Ella Mae Bridges will be on Sunday, September 11, 2016 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. A funeral service will be conducted on Monday, September 12, 2016 at 12:30pm in the chapel of Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Family and friends will meet at the funeral home at 11:30 am.

Ella Mae Bridges

November 1, 1929 - September 7, 2016