Mrs. Stella Bell Turpin Bridges

Published 11:13 am Saturday, March 8, 2025

Mrs. Stella Bell Turpin Bridges, age 94, passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2025. Born February 15, 1931, she was the daughter of the late A.B. Turpin and the late Lila Webb Turpin. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Louis (Boodlum) Bridges and her son, Edward Bridges; her brothers, Ayers B. Turpin, Jr. and James William (Bill) Turpin; and her sister, Adrian Dudley. She is survived by her daughter Babs Raines (Melton); her son Steve Bridges (Kaye); grandchildren: Mandi Saratsiotis (Alex), Adam Bridges (Inga), Beau Bridges, Andrea Raines, Wes Raines, and Rich Raines; great-grandchildren: Mary Katherine Saratsiotis, Isabelle Saratsiotis, Caroline Saratsiotis, Hannah Collins, Sarah Grace Collins, William Bridges, Alexa Raines-Ballou; nieces and nephews. Stella was currently residing at Blackshear Retirement Villas in Cordele where she was cared for and loved by so many. She also became the unofficial, self-appointed assistant to the Activity Director, Mrs. Audrey. Stella lived a full life where her greatest joy was to cook and care for her childhood sweetheart and husband of 74 years, Boodlum, as well as the rest of her family and friends!  She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend! After Stella’s three children were of school age she began her working career at Horton’s Frosty Treat with her good friend Helen Aultman. Later Mrs. Helen and Stella went to work for the Turtons at Howard Johnson’s in Cordele. After moving back to Americus she began working at Dr. Cecil Myers, DDS, as the receptionist where her working career would eventually end with her much deserved Retirement. She loved spending time with grandchildren as well as her great-grandchildren. They all brought her so much love and joy and she brought them even more love and joy! Stella also looked forward to the Friday night Fish Fries at “The Hilton,” located at Well’s Mill Pond aka Webb’s Mill Pond in Smithville, entertaining her life long friends who are often described as The Greatest Generation. Her days were filled with endless acts of love and service for others. She was not one to let herself go idle! Stella was always busy, moving about, baking, or talking to anyone or everyone and sometimes even to herself! She always said it was okay to talk to yourself as long as you did not answer yourself! Her sense of humor was unforgettable and her love for her family will never be forgotten. She was fortunate to have caregivers stay with her so she could continue to live her life to the fullest! Thank you very much, Teresa Durham, Dora Daniels, Victoria Haynes, Nece Walker, Lakeshia Hightower, Renay Dodson for making this possible and in her final days with just as much care Jean Davis, Dot Coleman, Sabrina Smith, and Nece Walker who also showed so much love and care to her. Stella, also known as Grandmama and Gigi, was tiny but her love for her family was huge and will never be forgotten! The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home until time for the service. The funeral service is planned for 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 9, at the Chapel of Rainey Family Funeral Services in Cordele. A private family burial will follow the service. You may leave condolences to the family at www.raineyfuneral.com