Frankie Porter Bridges

Frankie was one of twelve children born to James Frank Porter and Lily Mae Turner Porter in Pamplico, SC on May 13, 1935. Frankie’s siblings include two boys and one girl who were stillborn; as well as Leroy Porter, Mamie Lee Waddel, Wyane Wilkes, J. F. Porter, Emma P. Sharpe, Oliver Porter (Madge), Dale Welch, and Viola Smothers (Jackie).

Frankie was married to William Warren “Bill” Bridges for 52 years until his death in 2010. They met when Frankie was working as an account bookkeeper at WOIC radio, part of Speidel Broadcasters, and Bill was the chief engineer. Living to continue their memory are their son, Porter Harrison Bridges (Tammy), and grandson (Robert).

After the sale of WOIC in 1971, Frankie joined four other women, Cynthia Gilliam, Elinor Pettit, Mary Arnold Garvin, and Barbara Ott, to create the advertising agency Semaphore, Inc. Her position evolved as the company grew in size and established its award-winning reputation. She remained the Director of Administrative Services until its dissolution in 2012.

The daughter of a tobacco farmer, Frankie understood the meaning and benefit of hard work. She worked quietly behind the scenes in everything she did, making sure that everything was correct, and everyone had what they needed.

Frankie produced the majority of the shows directed by Cynthia Gilliam at Workshop Theatre, and served as treasurer of its Board of Directors.

When Hurricane Hugo plowed into Columbia in 1989 Frankie was found with a chainsaw in front of Semaphore clearing the way. And on the rare occasion when Columbia had a snowy morning, Frankie made sure employees were able to get to work picking them up in her car fitted with snow tires.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to Harvest Hope Food Bank where she volunteered, Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or the charity of one’s choice.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday January 17, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Dunbar Funeral Home on Devine Street, in Columbia