Thelma Merritt Bridges passed away on Friday, November 8, 2013, in a local health care facility. She was born September 1, 1916 and was a life-long resident of the Powdersville Community in Anderson County. She was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Mellie Merritt. She is preceded in death by husband Harry Turner, and her husband of thirty-nine years, Samuel James Bridges and her only son, Sammy Bridges and his wife, Lynn Bridges. She was the last survivor of her siblings: Herbert Merritt, Mary Merritt Jones, Paul Merritt, Ligon Merritt, Elbert Merritt, Milford Merritt, Simpson Merritt, Gomer Merritt, Annie Merritt Yates, Dorothy Merritt Turner. Thelma is survived by her daughters, Cheryl Bridges Johns and her husband Jackie, Glenda Bridges, Ruth Bridges Mycko and her husband Greg; her grandchildren Alethea Johns Allen and husband Ben Justin, Karisa Johns Smith and husband Johnmark, Jonathan Bridges, April Paxton Raines and husband Rocky, Joshua Bridges and wife Bethany, Eric and Seth Mycko; great-grandchildren Zachery Raines, Camdyn Allen, Charles Allen, Carter Allen, Tegan Smith, Harper Smith and Isaac Bridges. Thelma was a florist who loved flowers and making flower arrangements. She was an avid ocean swimmer. Her children have fond memories of extended vacations at the beach. For over twenty years she and her husband Sam wintered in Hollywood Beach, Florida. Thelma was a life-long member of the McNeely Memorial Pentecostal Holiness Church The Carpenter's House. During her latter years she attended Living Sanctuary Church in Powdersville. Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, November 10, 2013 at the Carpenter's House International Pentecostal Holiness Church, 3213 River Road, Piedmont, SC, with the Funeral Service to follow at 2:00 p.m. The service will be officiated by Rev. Duree Propes, Rev. Joshua Bridges and Rev. Jackie Johns. Internment will follow at the Cooper-McNeely Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Northwest.