Mrs. Eva Mae Youngblood Bridges

Eva Mae Bridges (formally “Youngblood” and nicknamed “Sue”) was born March 26, 1941 to the late Verdis Magee and Mary Merlean Stewart in Tylertown, Mississippi. She attended Friendship School before getting married to Doyal Youngblood, during this union eight children were born; unfortunately, one boy and two girls died at birth. She worked on the farm picking cotton before 30 years of employment with New Orleans Furniture Factory. Eva went on to serve as a cook at Heavenly Delight Restaurant, a box maker at Bill’s Dollar Distribution, and receptionist with Walthall County. She dressed for success regardless of her occupation. Eva attended church as a young girl and later became a Christian and lover of Jesus. She was an active member of Brandon Bay United Methodist Church and served faithfully in the Adult Choir, United Methodist Women’s Auxiliary, Church Secretary, and assistant Sunday School teacher. Eva enjoyed singing, going to revivals, selecting choir robes and shopping for two-piece dress suits with matching accessories for the “Best Dressed Choir” in surrounding communities. She took great pride in dressing (e.g., starched blue jeans/skirts/denim, church hats, and jogging suits), cooking family favorites: red beans, ice box pies, gumbo and potato salad, and spending time with family and friends until she got tired and told all to go home or come get your kids. Granddaughters recall her commands to put on earrings, lip gloss and stop cutting your hair!Family recollection of sleeping pallets during family visits, oven sausages and cheesy grits, off-limit fancy towels, red kitchen décor, and mandate to write our names on red solo cups and wash for reuse, and many more memories are cherished. Later in life she married James L. Bridges, he proceeded her in death as well as siblings, Earnestine Barkley and Mack Magee. February 2016, Eva relocated to Lancaster, CA due to health challenges and joined The Growing Valley Baptist Church and continued as an active member until her health failed. Eva transitioned peacefully with a radiant glow in Lancaster, CA in the presence of family, prayers, scriptures and beautiful worship music. She is survived by children Larry, Daron, Richie (Chandra), Jeffrey and Sharon Youngblood, 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, sister Marie Sutton, many nieces, nephews, in-loves, cousins and friends. A Visitation for Mrs. Bridges will be held Friday, September 26, 2025, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm at Craft-Dillon-Ginn Funeral Chapel in Tylertown, MS. A second Visitation will be held at 12:00pm, Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Brandon Bay United Methodist Church in Tylertown, with Funeral Services to follow at 1:00pm. Pastor Andre Tillman will officiate the Funeral Services with interment to follow in Brandon Bay United Methodist Church Cemetery in Tylertown, MS.

Mrs. Eva Mae Youngblood Bridges

March 26, 1941 - September 13, 2025