Kimberly (Kim) Bridges

Kimberly Denise Bridges 

“The whirlwind that would infuse light into every room she entered.”  

She was born on May 24, 1963 and stepped into the arms of our Lord & Savior on September 10, 2021 at 1:37 am. 

She married her wonderful husband, Larry on June 28, 1986. They shared over 35 years of precious life together. They raised their two daughters, Courtney & Crystal, and later welcomed their son-in-law Derek to the family. They were blessed with four grandchildren: Kinsler, Carter, (“the bubbas”) Vanessa, & Lynzee. Kim loved them more than life itself. She never missed anything they were involved in and was their biggest cheerleader & encourager.  

She was a daughter, wife, mother, teacher, servant, & friend. What an incredible legacy she leaves behind.  

Kim never knew a stranger. She welcomed anyone and everyone into her home & treated them as if they were her own. She loved feeding people. She was always the first person to deliver a home cooked meal to anyone who may have needed comfort or help. Serving people was her love language. And she did it so well. 

Kim was a hugger. She gave the best hugs. She had very few boundaries, (haha) and refused to let you walk off with just a handshake. Her laugh was contagious. If she ever got “tickled” by something and started giggling, she couldn’t stop. And you couldn’t keep from joining her. She had a beautiful smile and shared it constantly. She lit up every room she entered & had a way of making everyone feel special and loved.  

Kim was so creative. She loved to sew & loved even more to sew things for other people. If she knew you and she ever gave you a gift, it’s highly likely that she made it herself. She made the best burp rags & blankets. Everyone loved her jam. And she loved that. 

Kim was a phenomenal teacher. Larry encouraged her to go back to school when their girls were little. She chose to get a degree in education. And wow…what a perfect fit! She started her first job as a teacher in Coahoma in 1999 teaching first grade…22 years later, she was even more enthusiastic. She LOVED all “her kids”. She loved finding new ways to engage her students in a way that would make learning impactful and fun. She hated worksheets and making them sit at a desk. She would always say “they just don’t learn as well like that…they learn better with their hands.” And she was right. Her students adored her. And she adored them.  

She also loved “her people.” She didn’t just work with them, she loved them. If you worked with her, she considered you family. She was so good about checking on them and doing little things to brighten their day. She was also the “keeper of the crap” as she would say. If anyone was in need of a supply of any kind, she was the go-to girl.  

Kim was fun. She loved to laugh! She loved a good dress up day and was always committed to whatever character she chose…especially “Pirates Love Underpants” with that drawn on beard! At 58 years old, she was running around in the rain doing her very best to toilet paper her daughters house with some of “her people” and belly laughing the entire time. She loved to dance…especially with Larry. She loved a good prank. She loved animals…babies the most. She just loved life. 

She never complained. She could find the positive in any situation. Most people didn’t know that she was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2009. It did it’s best to kick her tail, but she didn’t let it. And thankfully God had plans of her being here with us. She fought it without complaint. She was such a strong person. 

Kim was a spectacular Mom & Grammy. She loved her kids. She did everything she could for them. She was the most selfless person. She was never too busy to talk to them on the phone, listen to them vent, cook for them, encourage them, love on them, drop whatever she was doing to go to them…she was selfless. She was the keeper of the snacks, maker of macaroni, boo-boo kisser, their puzzle partner, the best snuggler. She loved to play games with them…especially the grandkids. And they loved it too. She always had cards in her purse to play Go-Fish or Uno at a restaurant. She had a special way of knowing exactly what they needed…at any moment in time. A hug, a snack, a drink, a joke or sarcastic comment, a “squeeze”. She was the best. 

Kim loved Larry. And Larry loved Kim. He always made her laugh. They really were two peas in a pod. In their 35 years together they made so many memories. They loved to serve the Lord together. They loved to sit on the porch and drink coffee. They both loved the mountains. She hated to be hot…and so does Larry. They picked on each other, laughed together, served together, did projects together, loved their kids & grandkids together, traveled together, loved each other, grew together. They loved to dance in the driveway to the car radio. She loved to hold his hand.  

Kim loved the Lord. She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior in May of 1986. She was an incredible servant from that moment on. She loved teaching Sunday School & Junior Choir when the girls were little. She loved to sing in the choir. She loved a good pot luck & always brought more than was required of her. She loved to sing praises to God and was constantly sharing songs with people to lift them up. Larry was an incredible spiritual leader in their home & she served as the wife of a deacon very well. She was never afraid to tell someone about the love of Christ. Her desire was for each precious soul she encountered to come to know Him. She was always overjoyed any time someone gave their life to Jesus.  

James 4:14 says “You do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” If you do not know Him, Kim desperately desired that you come to Him. We have hope in eternity because Jesus gave His life on the cross and rose again to provide a sacrifice for anyone who would make Him the Lord of their life.  

Romans 5:8 says “But God commanded His love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The Bible goes on to say in Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Please don’t wait until it is eternally too late. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com