SHELBY: Ray McNeil Bridges passed away July 30, 2023 at Cleveland Pines Nursing Center in Shelby. He was 87. Ray was born July 13, 1936. He was the son of the late James Corbett (J.C.) Bridges and Tula Bell Beason Bridges. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Wilda B. Bridges, his brothers J.C. Jr, Waylon, Clyde, Don, and Bobby Dean, his sisters, Mary Sue Webber, Lois Patterson Cobb, Juanita Prejean, Rachel Greene, Betty Baker, and Louise Robbins Beaubeon.

Ray graduated from Shelby High School and was employed by Fiber Industries, Eaton, and Kemet Electronics. After his retirement from Kemet he worked part-time at Jefferson School. He was active in his church, Eastside Baptist where he taught Sunday School and was a former deacon. He loved spending time in his garden and baking pound cakes and pies.

He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Hartley Bridges of Shelby, his son, David and his wife Debbie of Kinston, NC and his daughter Kathy Hege and husband Luke of Shelby, four Grandchildren, Matt and Joel Hege, Josh Bridges, and Laura Stewart, four great grandchildren, Hannah and Graham Hege and Hadley and Weston Stewart. He is also survived by a step son, Terry Hartley and a step daughter, Amy Hartley.

A graveside service will be held 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, August 2, 2023 in Cleveland Memorial Park with the Rev. Dale Byrd officiating. The family will receive friends follow the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hospice and Palliative Care, 951 Wendover Heights Dr. Shelby NC or Eastside Baptist Church 1165 Wyke Road, Shelby NC.

Arrangements are entrusted to Clay Barnette Funeral Home, Shelby NC. www.claybarnette.com