Joyce Marlowe Bridges, age 80 of Ellenboro, died Sunday, October 13, 2024, at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. She was born on May 23, 1944, in Rutherford County and was a daughter of the late James Paul Marlowe and Emma Frady Marlowe.

Joyce was a faithful member of Drury Dobbins Baptist Church where she was a former member of the Choir, a Sunday School teacher and GA leader. She always enjoyed church activities and worship with her church family. She worked for many years at the former General Fireproofing and later for Regtrol where she retired.

She loved her family and was a loving and dedicated wife of more than 60 years to her late husband, Jerry Bridges who died in 2020.  Joyce was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and caring for each of them was her greatest joy, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved cooking and sharing with her family and friends. Baking was her favorite, and her blackberry wine cakes as well as coconut cakes were her favorites to share. She also looked forward to time spent with her friends each day at the Bethel Baptist Church lunch meal.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Paul Marlowe, Jr, and sister, Tulan Merck White.

Survivors include her son, Scott Bridges and wife Leslie of Shelby, her daughter, Lori Bridges Gaston and husband John of Denver, North Carolina, her grandchildren, Chris and Brandon Smith, J.T. Gaston and wife Blair, and Spencer Gaston, and great-grandchildren, Ayla, Braylen, Kinley, Brantley, Caleb, Mason, and Izzy.

The funeral service will be held at 2 o’clock on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Drury Dobbins Baptist Church with the Reverend Ron Roberts officiating. Interment will follow at Eternal Hills Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 o’clock prior to the service at the church.

Memorials in her memory may be made to Drury Dobbins Baptist Church, Food Pantry, 3607 Drury Dobbins Church Road, Ellenboro, North Carolina 28040.

The Padgett and King Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of arrangements and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com