Obituary

Mattie Elizabeth Atwood Bridges

June 26, 1932 - January 13, 2021

Mattie Elizabeth Atwood Bridges passed away at her residence in Bogalusa, LA surrounded by her loving family on January 13, 2021 at the age of 88. She was born at 6:00 a.m. on the Sunday morning of June 26, 1932 to Benjamin and Annie Bell Russell Atwood.

She grew up with a love for animals, flowers, and being outside which continued throughout her life. She had a deep love of books and reading. Her favorite stories were of fairytales, stories of the Smokey Mountains and the people of the Appalachians, and of the adventures of pioneer life from her namesake, Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder. She was happiest when riding her Snapper lawn mower, shopping, and cooking for her family.

She was a very lively, independent, strong willed, sassy little lady who was loved by all who knew her and will be missed by all who will cherish her memory.

She leaves behind her loving daughter and best friend, Debra Ann Powell who was always by her side; her granddaughter, Jennifer Elizabeth Mitchell who will forever be her Sunshine; her two great grandsons, Noah Alexander Mitchell and Jonah Atwood Mitchell; and her son-in-law, Jesse Beach. She is also survived by her nieces, Kathy, Kristy, and Misty Gunnell and Darlene Brown; and her sweet little dog Sadie.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Herbert Bridges; her daughter, Vivian Lynn Beach; her parents, Benjamin and Annie Bell Atwood; and her beloved poodle, Raven.

Services celebrating her life will be held at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home on Friday, January 15, 2021. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. and continue until the service begins at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Kipp Smith will officiate. Interment to follow at Bonnie Cemetery in Angie, LA.

The family would like to give special thanks to St. Tammany Hospice, Nielsen’s Pharmacy, Southeast Louisiana Home Health, Dr. Garland Anderson, and their extended family at Our Lady of Angels Hospital and Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home.

Serving as pallbearers will be Noah Mitchell, Jonah Mitchell, Shawn Singletary, Jerod Mitchell, and Brandon Barrois.