Cover photo for Rodney Bridges's Obituary
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1954 Rodney 2020

Rodney Bridges

January 21, 1954 — August 6, 2020

Rodney Dean Bridges, age 66 of Cherryville passed away Thursday, August 6, 2020 at Atrium Health, Cleveland.  He was born January 21, 1954 to Tressie Wells Bridges of Cherryville and the late JD Bridges, Sr.  He was a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church.  He was a talented drummer in “South Street” band. Rodney began playing drums in 1968 as a sophomore in high school with many of the original “Shakers” which spun off to a popular group in the 1970’s as “Four Guys & A Fifth.” Then in the late 1970s to early 1980s, he became a member of the “Freeway South.” In 1981, he was a member of a popular Charlotte based beach group, “The Images,” until 1985 when he took a break to spend more time with his fast-growing family. In 2001, Rodney and fellow “Spring Street” member Billy Cooke formed the “Reunion Band” which later led to become the “BeachNuts Band” then later became known as “Spring Street.”

During Rodney’s break from music, he became involved coaching local sports where he was a head coach of the 1985 Rayfield Metal team at Tryon Optimist. This team went on to win the regular season and tournament championship and he was nominated to coach the 8-year-old Tryon All Star team. In 1986, he became the head coach at Cherryville Little League and coached the Pythians until 1990 where he decided that he was going to take a break from coaching. His Pythians team would go on to win the regular season and be crowned tournament champions 1989. This same year Rodney was selected to be the head coach of the Cherryville Little League All Star team that won the NC State Title and played at the Little League Southeast Regionals in Florida. Rodney enjoyed coaching and spending time with all the payers on his team and in the leagues that he coached.

Rodney worked for Overnite / UPS Freight for 35 years where he retired at the young age of 55. Rodney was an avid sports fan and loved the Tarheels and Cherryville sports.  His greatest joy was spending time with his family and grandkids.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Beverly Shumate Bridges; son, Eric Bridges (Crystal); daughters, Angela B. Wilkinson, Buffey B. Ramsey (Dustin), and Erika Clawson Sigmon (David); brother, JD Bridges Jr.; sister, Peggy Bridges Schronce (Larry); grandkids, Matt Bridges, Alex Bridges, Lauren Bridges, Ethan Woods, Mason Ramsey, Austin Wilkinson (Olivia), Cain Wilkinson, Emma Grace Sigmon, and newborn great grandbaby born August 6, Cohen Slade Wilkinson; his furbaby, Sassy; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 3:00 PM at Shady Grove Baptist Church Family Life Center with Rev. Dale Hendricks officiating.  Burial will be private.  The family will be gathering Sunday from 1:30 to 2:45 PM prior to the service in the Family Life Center.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions, social distancing and face coverings will be required.

Services for Rodney will be livestreamed on shadygrovelife.com website and Shady Grove Baptist Church facebook page.

Memorials may be made to Shady Grove Baptist Church, New Sanctuary Fund, 3240 Tryon Courthouse Rd. Cherryville, NC 28021.

Condolences may be made to www.carpentersfuneralhome.net

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rodney Bridges, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Gathering of Family and Friends

Sunday, August 9, 2020

Starts at 1:30 pm (Eastern time)

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Memorial Service

Sunday, August 9, 2020

Starts at 3:00 pm (Eastern time)

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