Edward Smith Bridges -- Musician and Arts Advocate

 

Edward Smith Bridges was born on June 20, 1930, in Dover, Tennessee, the son of Samuel Henry and Inez Agnes Thomas Bridges.   He grew up in Hopkinsville, KY, played trumpet in the high school band and was an Eagle Scout.

After earning a bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University, where he was a member of the ROTC, he joined the US Air Force and became director of the Robins Air Force Base Band in Warner Robins, Georgia.  Edward and the band performed across the county and throughout Central and South America as part of an Air Force Goodwill tour.  He retired from the Air Force in 1972 and attended the University of Georgia to earn a master’s and doctorate in music education.  While in Athens, Edward was an assistant director of the University’s Red Coat Band.

For several years, Edward headed the music department at Georgia Tech.  In 1978 he founded the South Metro Concert Band at Clayton State College in Morrow, Georgia, where he met his wife, who played the oboe.

He was honored during the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay by passing the touch on the Square in McDonough, Georgia and was also a “Torch Bearer” in the Paralympics.

A longtime advocate for the arts in Henry County, Georgia, Edward was founder of the Henry Arts Alliance, the Henry Community Chorus and the South Metro Concert Band.  Since its founding 1991, the Henry Arts Alliance has helped other community arts organizations grow, including ones devoted to literary, visual and performing arts.  Edward once wrote that the organization’s mission was to “create awareness, stimulate interest and encourage involvement in the arts.”  In 1994, Edward was named Henry County Citizen of the Year.  In 1993, the Henry county commission honored him be proclaiming “Ed Bridges Day.”

Dr. Edward Bridges passed away at his home on March 9, 1997 in McDonough, Georgia at the age of 66.  He was survived by his wife, Joyce and three sons and two daughters.  He is buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

 

LINEAGE:

(Edward Smith Bridges was the son of Samuel Henry and Inez Agnes Thomas Bridges, the grandson of William Henry and Sarah Elizabeth Lancaster Bridges and the great grandson of Drewry and Peachie Ann Tart Bridges.  Drewry was the fourth child of William and Mary Thomas Bridges. William was the fourth child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.  Mary Thomas was the fifth child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)