Mrs. Vera Claudette Bridges, age 86, of Dalton, Georgia, departed this life on Saturday,
November 8, 2025, at Dalton Square Assisted Living.
Born July 31, 1939, in LaFayette, Georgia, Vera was a daughter of the late Claude B.
Tarvin and Ida Margaret Hall Tarvin. A true Southern lady, she was always impeccably
dressed—with not a hair out of place—and carried herself with a quiet dignity and
kindness that made everyone feel at home. Her life centered on her family, and she
cherished the role of wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She and her beloved
husband, Raymond Douglas "Doug" Bridges, shared more than fifty years of marriage
before his passing, and though her health steadily declined in recent years, her love for
her family never wavered.
Vera was a proud 1957 graduate of LaFayette High School.
She was also preceded in death by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Opal and Bob
Bohannon, and Evelyn and Ronnie Carr.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Kelly Martin; son and
daughter-in-law, Greg and Felicia Bridges, all of Dalton, GA; grandchildren, Matthew
and Ashley Bridges, Jill and James Nichols, Brandi and Jason Chastine, and Jessica and
Brandon Stokes; great-grandchildren, Jaden Nichols, Jace Nichols, Camden Machoka,
Presley Chastine, and Jaycee Chastine; great-great-grandchildren, Laklann and Reid;
sister, Maxine Foutz of Tunnel Hill, GA; brother, Keith Tarvin of LaFayette, GA;
brothers-in-law, Terry Bridges of Florida and Ronnie Bridges of California; and several
nieces and nephews.
Graveside services to celebrate the life of Mrs. Vera Claudette Bridges will be held
Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Ponders Whitfield Memorial Gardens and
Mausoleum, with Jason Chastine officiating. James Nichols, Brandon Stokes, David
Hudson, Kelly Williams, Joey Carr, Mitch Morrison, and Chris Thomas are honored to
serve as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends at Ponders Melrose Chapel from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Monday, and after 11:00 a.m. Tuesday until the service hour.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the
Humane Society of Northwest Georgia, 1210 Veterans Dr., Dalton, GA 30721
(706.226.5002 ), or to the Alzheimer's Association, 922 E. Morris St., Dalton, GA 30721
(706.275.0819 ).
Arrangements are by Ponders Melrose Chapel, 138 Melrose Drive, Dalton, GA 30721.
706-226-4002 • www.selectedindependentfuneralhomes.org