Mrs. Velma Mae Bridgman

November 27, 1921 - June 1, 2016

Velma Mae Bridgman, who at 94 years of age was the Matriarch and last surviving member her 1st generation, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was born on Sunday, November 21, 1921 to Eddy and Emma Clark in Hawkinsville, Georgia. She accepted Christ at an early age. Her mother was a former school teacher and valued education. Growing up learning the value of education led Velma to complete her GED in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Velma married and had five children whom she was devoted: Richard, Tarawa, David, Casstodera and Jimmy Lee. She was employed with Greyhound Bus and Air Castle as a cook for many years. Velma loved to read books and was avid and devoted with her bible studies. Velma was a faithful member McCoys Memorial Temple Church of God in Christ. When the church moved into it's location at 1840 Union Avenue in Benton Harbor, she was the first member to walk up the steps and enter the sanctuary of the church. She was involved in her church home and had a heart to serve. She was known for always taking someone in and helping them with housing, clothing and also by making meals for those in need. Another of Velma’s talents was that she was an accomplished seamstress and very good at crocheting. She was also a wonderful cook and an avid gardener. She loved to fish and was a master of word puzzles. Velma shared her Godly life principles with her family and others in word and by example: • “Read your bible and ask God for an understanding for yourself” • “Don’t let your OUTgo be more than your INcome and always save something for a rainy day—if you make a nickel save a penny; if you make a quarter, save a nickel.” • “Don’t worry about anything. If you can do something about it. DO IT; if NOT, don’t worry about it.” • In her latter years, she ended almost every conversation with—“Can’t Nobody do me like Jesus; HE is my friend.” We’re so blessed to know that it can truly be said that she sought to be a friend of God’s and now she is with Him. Velma is preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings, and three of her children: Ricard, Casstodera and Jimmy Lee. Velma is survived by her daughter, Tarawa (Arther) Anderson of Kalamazoo, MI and David (Carol) Jackson of Benton Harbor, MI; 19 grandchildren and a host of great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Also, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.