1939 - 2026

Celebration of Life Services for Mr. Charles Edward Bridges, 87, of Beckville, Texas, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at the Youngblood Cemetery Pavilion in Beckville, Texas, with Pastor Michael Burns officiating. Burial will follow under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. All are welcome to visit with the family at Beckville Community Church following the servce. Mr. Bridges was born April 24, 1939, in Grapeland, Texas, to Elwin Columbus and Cleo Lively Bridges. He passed away peacefully at his home in Beckville on August 29, 2026. Charles was one of three children born to Elwin and Cleo Bridges. He was raised and attended school in Grapeland, Winona, and Beckville, graduating with the Beckville Bearcats Class of 1957. On March 19, 1960, Charles married the love of his life, Brenda Joyce Flanagan. Together, they shared 66 years of marriage, raising three children and building a life filled with love, family, and cherished memories. Charles worked for many years in the oil and gas industry as a gas plant manager for Amoco and BP. He faithfully served as an elder at Word of Victory Church in Canton, Texas. Charles enjoyed many things in life, including hunting, fishing, raising cattle and emus, and working with his hands. He was a talented mechanic who especially enjoyed overhauling engines. Charles had a generous spirit and a kind heart, and he was loved by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elwin Columbus and Cleo Lively Bridges. Charles leaves behind his loving wife, Brenda Bridges of Beckville; son, Joe Bridges and wife, Janelle, of Beckville; daughters, Melanie Shaffer and husband, Phil, of North Richland Hills, and Jennifer Tilleman and husband, Glenn, of Granbury; foster son, Dominic Muhlenbruch and wife, Valeri, of Cape Coral, Florida; sisters, Peggy Slaughter of Heath and Linda Ham of Canton; niece, Joyce Ann DeBeer and husband Dr. Bruce; grandchildren, Ashley Bridges of Troup, Forrest Martin and wife, Kelsea, of Grapevine, Dawson Martin and wife, Kelly, of Alexandria, Virginia, Braden Shaffer of Alto, and Cade Shaffer and wife, Rhett, of Hurst; step grandsons, Phillip Tilleman of Granbury and Theodore Tilleman of San Antonio; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; along with other relatives and a host of friends. Serving as pallbearers will be Tyler Briggs, Brian Darnell, Dominic Muhlenbruch, Forrest Martin, Braden Shaffer, and Cade Shaffer. Charles will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him. His memory will live on in the hearts of those he leaves behind. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to the Heartsway Hospice P.O. Box 5608 Longview, TX. 75608 or online at www.heartswayhospice. org/about/donate An online guestbook may be

signed at: www.hawthornfuneralhome.com