Ann Proctor Snipes Bridgers passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 21, 2020 in her home in Raleigh, NC, at the age of 81. Ann was the daughter of Julian Brooks Snipes, Sr. and Sadie Belle Proctor Snipes, born in Roxboro, NC on August 15, 1938.
Ann graduated from Pittsboro High School in the class of 1956. She continued her education at The Woman’s College of The University of North Carolina in Greensboro, NC, graduating with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education.
Ann met her loving husband, Julian Dalma Bridgers, Jr., while attending summer school at UNC-Chapel Hill. They met at the swimming pool where Julian impressed Ann with his disastrous backflip off the diving board! They later married and enjoyed 59 years of marriage.
Ann began her career as a teacher in the Wake County Public School System, then decided to further her education at UNC-Chapel Hill, receiving her Library Science certification while working and raising her two daughters. She then worked for many years as a Media Specialist. Ann dedicated over 32 years as an educator to the children of Wake County schools.
Ann was a devoted member of St. James United Methodist Church for over 55 years. She expanded her love of books and educating children by founding the church library which was later named in her honor as the Ann Bridgers Library. She was also a member of the St. James UMC choir and the Mary Brown circle of the UMW.
Ann loved spending time with her four grandchildren, who affectionately called her Gmom. Her granddaughters fondly remember countless tea parties and her grandsons loved selecting books from Ann’s home library. Ann thoroughly enjoyed her many, many days at the beach, picking up shells with those close to her. She was a loyal NC State fan, the lone wolf in her Tar Heel blue family!
Ann was preceded in death by her father, Julian Brooks Snipes, Sr., her mother, Sadie Belle Proctor Snipes and her bother-in-law, William Errol Flynn, Sr. Ann is survived by her husband, Julian Dalma Bridgers, Jr.; her daughters Beth Ann Bridgers and Janice Marie Bridgers Cowen and her husband, Scott David Cowen; Beth’s sons Jordan Tyler Lindsey and Nicholas Ross Lindsey; Janice’s daughters Mara Haley Cowen and Bridget Sierra Cowen; her brother, Julian Brooks Snipes, Jr., his wife Betty and their family; her sister-in-law, Rebecca Bridgers Flynn and her family, and her brother-in-law, Robert Lewis Bridgers, Sr., his wife Helen and their family.
The family would like to recognize the loving care Ann received from the amazing caregivers of PEAK Healthcare Services and Transitions LifeCare (Hospice) who helped her through her courageous and lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s.
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Ann’s memorial service will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (act.alz.org/donate) and Transitions LifeCare (Hospice) (transitionslifecare.org/donate).
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