Betty Sue Taylor Bridges

Betty Sue Taylor Bridges, 84, of Shellman, GA, died Friday, January 30, 2015 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be held Monday at 10:30 a.m. at Damascus Baptist Church in Randolph County, GA. Rev. David McFather and Rev Chris Pollock will officiate. Interment will follow in Eastview Cemetery in Shellman, GA.

Betty Sue Shaw Bridges was born 5th of 9 children to William Bertrum and Velma Taylor, March 23, 1930. For 44 years she and her first husband, Bradley Shaw, served in Assembly of God ministries at Dexter, Shellman, Corday's Mill and Albany First Assembly of God all in Georgia. In addition to pastoring, they spent many years as traveling evangelist. Her duties as a pastor's wife also included the responsibility of being her blind and handicapped husband's caregiver. Occasionally, she would have other jobs such as a beloved bus driver and a manager of a cloth store.

After her first husband's death in 1991, she continued to live outside of Shellman. Betty worked a few years at as a receptionist at Department of Family & Children Services in Cuthbert. Upon marrying L.M. (Doc) Bridges, she returned to being a housewife. They enjoyed many years gardening, doing yard work, senior citizen functions and visiting family. She often helped him with his woodworking. Her many sibling were often a part of her life.

The special loves in her life were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She amazed friends and family with her ability in continuing to cook, garden and keep house despite the advance of her macular degeneration.

After losing her second husband, her determined spirit kept her independent with the help of her children, friends and family. Neighbors and her Damascus Church family contributed greatly to her joy in her last years. Even though she lived within five miles of her birthplace, her ability to be a Godly role model to many was far reaching.

Survivors include a son, Phillip Shaw and his wife, Susie of Cuthbert, GA, a daughter, Cynthia (Cindy) S. Campbell and her husband, Thomas of Albany, GA, a brother, Nelson Taylor and his wife, Carolyn of Cuthbert, GA, two sisters, Winnifred Sinquefield of Albany, GA and Nadie Lee Dunaway of Dawson, GA, six grandchildren, Michael (Tabatha)Shaw, Tyler Campbell, Tessa Campbell, Shannon Atkinson (Ann), Marie Atkinson, Jennifer (Eric) Jenkins and six great-grandchildren, Chloe Shaw, Jax Kleckley, Jaden Atkinson, Madelyn Atkinson, Owen Jenkins and Maddox Jenkins.

The family will receive friends Sunday from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM Sunday at Mathews Funeral Home.