Jeanette McMurtry Kelly Bridges

Jeanette McMurtry Kelly Bridges, 94, resident of Columbia, died Monday, December 16, 2024 at her residence.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church with Pastor Rick Blevins and Dr. Marty Shadoan officiating. Entombment will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Saturday, December 21, 2024 from 12:00 PM till 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church.

The family suggest memorials may be made to First Baptist Church 2790 Pulaski Hwy, Columbia, TN 38401. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Born April 6, 1930 in Sumner County, TN, she was the daughter of the late Harold Jackson McMurtry and the late Norma Youngblood McMurtry Ray. On January 13, 1945, she married Thomas Richard Kelly, who preceded her in death on September 12, 1975; and in 1977 she married James E. “Ned” Bridges, who preceded her in death on February 13, 2014. Mrs. Bridges was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Order of the Easter Star, and the James K. Polk Association. Above all she was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother and she adored her children and many grandchildren. Mrs. Bridges was a member of First Baptist Church of Columbia, where she had taught Sunday school classes, and prepared Wednesday night suppers at the downtown First Baptist Church.

She is survived by her son, Harold Earnest (Elaine) Kelly of Columbia, TN; daughters, Tricia (Jerry) Mitchell of Decatur, AL, Janet (Mike) Belt of Columbia, TN, Libby White of Columbia , TN, Jean (Mike) Crosby of Brentwood, TN, Jane (Mike) Scott of Columbia, TN; sister, Joyce (Duane) Neely of Columbia, TN; brother, Rollin McMurtry of Hurricane Mills, TN; 13 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husbands and parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Harold McMurtry; son in law, Corky White; and a great-great-grandson, David Christopher Hughes III. 

Active pallbearers will be Jerry Mitchell, Mike Belt, Mike Crosby, Mike Scott, David Belt, Sean Kelly, and Justin Snoblen. Honorary pallbearers will include Randy Harness, Leon Dixon, Roger Harris, and her grandsons and great-grandsons.