Timothy Theophilus Bridgeman

Timothy, born on January 15, 1924 in St. Michael, Barbados, was the fourth of seven children born to Alfred and Blanche Bridgeman.

Timothy married Nita Neblett in 1946 and over the years, they became the proud parents of seven children.

With a desire to better care for his family, Timothy emigrated with his late brother Philemon, to England in 1956. Unable to bear being apart from his family, he returned to Barbados after only a few months. Upon his return, he continued working as Proof Reader for the island’s newspaper the Advocate. He later became the manager of one of the Excel’s chain of supermarkets. He emigrated with his family to Brooklyn N.Y in 1968 where he worked as a bank clerk, until his retirement to Deltona, Fl in 1986.

Having lost his father at a young age and having been raised by his godly mother Blanche, Timothy, with the help of his spouse, sought to bring up his children in the ways of the Lord. This included morning devotions with them, sending them to Sunday school, praying faithfully for them over the many years, and setting an example by his regular attendance at the churches which he attended.

Today, we give thanks for this spiritual legacy which God honored, and caused to bear fruit amongst his children and even his grandchildren. We also remember our Dad, Timothy as a kind and loving husband to our Mom, and as a father who was there for us, his children. In later years, when asked how he was doing, he would reply was ‘‘I’m hanging in there.’’ This meant that he was persevering in his walk with the Lord, but it also allowed him to be there for his children, as well as for his extended family, who referred to him affectionately as ‘‘Uncle Tim.’’ Someone has well said: ‘‘Anyone can be a Father, but it takes a Special Person to be a Dad.’’ By God’s grace, and for His glory, our Dad, Timothy was such a person.

Timothy is survived by his wife Nita, six children, Trevor, Marva, Randy, Betty, Juanita and Ronald; his first-born Winslow, predeceased him by eleven days; his brother David, several grandchildren and great grandchildren as well other family members and friends.

A Scripture Tribute to Dad

Lovingly submitted by Burleigh & Betty Rose

Walk before me, and be thou perfect

His early years

And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life - For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. - and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. - And he went…with them… and was subject unto them. - This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

1 Sam 1:11; 1 Sam 1:27-28; 1 Sam 3:19; Lk 2:51; Jos 1:8

His wife

And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; - thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son - and said unto her, wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go - What man is this that walketh…to meet us? - It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself. - A garden enclosed…is my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices: A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon. Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. - dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife.- The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her

Gen 2:18; Gen 24:4; Gen 24:58; Gen 24:65; SS 4:12-16; 1 Pe 3:7; Prov 31:11

His family

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: - And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. - was faithful in all his house - One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; - And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord - For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; - as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord

Deut 6:6; Deut 6:7; Heb 3:5; 1 Tim 3:4; Eph 6:4; Gen 18:19; Jos 24:15

His later years

The Lord appeared…and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. – My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. - Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight - And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, - For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. - But thou, O man of God…follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. - Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life…and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. - The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

Gen 17:1; Ex 33:14; Ex: 33:13; Ex 34:6; Heb 11:10; 1 Tim 6:11; 1 Tim 6:12; Prov 16:31

His home-call and expectancy

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: - For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: - he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost,- For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: - Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

2 Tim 4:6-8; Job 19:25; Gen 49:33; 1 Thess 4:14, 16; Rev 22:20