Carol A. Bridgewater

Carol A. Bridgewater, 71, passed away at 5:29 p.m. Friday, March 9, 2018, in Parkway Manor in Marion, with her husband at her bedside. Carol was born July 26, 1946 to Harold M. and Esther M. Morris (Taylor) in Jacksonville, Illinois. Carol married Donald Bridgewater on August 30, 1969 in Our Saviour Catholic Church in Jacksonville, and they have been married for forty eight years. Carol is survived by one daughter, Kelly (Michael) Olson; one brother David Morris (Drew Whittaker); two grandchildren Andrew J. Olson and Olivia K. Olson; brother-in-law Bud (Jenny) Bridgewater; sister-in-law Cathy Bridgewater; and numerous nieces and nephews. Carol is preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law Ron Bridgewater. The one thing that made Carol the happiest was visiting her grandchildren. They were the light of her life. Carol graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1968 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Education. In 1972, she received her master's degree in Guidance and Educational Psychology. Carol taught math and science in the Murphysboro grade school system for thirty years. She began teaching at Orchard Hill School and finished at the Middle School. One of Carol's most enjoyable moments in her teaching career was working with Mike Jones on the Middle School's 6th Grade archaeological dig on the John A. Logan Museum property. She truly loved teaching and working with the students. Carol started the Red Hat chapter "Red Hat Mamas of Murphysboro". She always looked forward to the monthly lunches with the members. Carol was a huge SIU Saluki Basketball fan. She and her husband made trips to Syracuse, Oklahoma City, Indianapolis and San Francisco to watch them play in the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament. She was a big fan of Mike Reis and listened to almost every radio broadcast of home and away games. The family would like to thank Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc. and the entire staff at Parkway Manor, most notably the CNA's, for their care of Carol. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 20, 2018 in St. Andrew Catholic Church, with Father Gary Gummersheimer officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 19, 2018, at Pettett Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to St. Andrew School, John A. Logan Museum, the Murphysboro Food Pantry or Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc. For more information or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.pettettfuneralhome.com.

Carol A. Bridgewater

July 26, 1946 - March 9, 2018