Donna Jean Bridges (nee Pearcy) was born in Greenwood, AR on June 29, 1949 to Louis Harold “Doc” Pearcy and Anna Marie Pearcy. She passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at her home in Greenwood, just a few miles away from the house where she was born. In the interim, she was loved dearly by her six older siblings. She graduated from Greenwood High School, where she played basketball and met the love of her life, Larry Bridges. She attended Westark Community College, taught eighth grade English and social studies at Greenwood, and became a librarian after going back for a second degree. She worshipped at Dayton Church of Christ for decades. She raised her three children, Joe, Jason, and Amy, with love—and when her grandchildren came along, she devoted herself to them.
Donna had answers to a lot of questions during her 76 years of life. Which book series would be the best gift for a child who felt lonely? How could you get a baby to smile at you? What kind of dessert should you bring to someone who was grieving? Which pew is the best pew to sit in at church, and which hymns have the best alto parts? Where should you pick jonquils in spring? How do you live a life worth living?
We hardly know how to answer these questions without her with us, but in her honor, we’ll try. We will read one of the books she shared with her many students, or watch an episode of Downton Abbey, or explore new places and share the photos with everybody we know. We’ll invite our loved ones over for dinner, especially if it’s been a while since we’ve caught up. We’ll eat chocolate cake for breakfast, but only on special occasions. (Though, to be clear, almost any day can be a special occasion.)
Donna was preceded in death by her brothers, Ervin Pearcy, Laverne Pearcy, and Lowell Pearcy. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Larry Bridges; her sisters, Charlene Carter and Sharon Blythe; her brother, Mearl Pearcy; her children, Joe Bridges (and spouse Melissa), Jason Bridges (and spouse Lorrie), and Amy Bridges; her grandchildren, Danielle Bridges (and spouse Tyler), Loren Bridges, and Landon Fisher; and many beloved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. To us and to so many others, her memory will always be a blessing.
Friends and family are invited to a visitation at McConnell Funeral Home in Greenwood on Thursday, July 17 from 5:00-7:00 pm. Her funeral service will be held at Dayton Church of Christ on Friday, July 18 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Southern Christian Home (information below), or that you complete a jigsaw puzzle in her memory.
Southern Christian Home: https://schome.org/donate/
100 W. Harding St. Morrilton, AR 72110
