Mathel Rhea Bridges Lott, 94, of Olive Branch, MS, peacefully passed away Thursday, February 26, 2015, after a very brief illness.
She was born July 17, 1920, in Milledgeville, TN, to the late Edward Lee and Oda Lee Smith Bridges. A lifelong Methodist and United Methodist, she was a faithful member of the Milledgeville, Oakland, Everett Memorial, Oakhaven, and Emmanuel churches throughout her life. She was also a proud resident of the Memphis area for over 65 years, where she was most famously known for her die-hard support of the Memphis Tigers and Grizzlies basketball teams.
Mrs. Lott was married to John Robert Lott for 61 years until his death in 2007, and she always cherished the memories they shared together. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Ruth Bridges Watson; two brothers, L.C. Bridges and Lloyd Grantham Bridges; and her only niece, Brenda Bridges Smith. She leaves to cherish her memory one son, Bobby Lott, and his wife, Debbie, of Olive Branch, MS; one grandson, Matthew Lott, of Memphis; and her sister-in-law, Mildred Bridges, of Centerville, TN; as well as a host of extended family and friends who will always remember her sweet spirit and smiling disposition.
A visitation will be held in Memphis on Saturday, February 28th, from 4-7pm at Emmanuel United Methodist Church (2404 Kirby Road). The funeral service will be held at 3pm Sunday, March 1st, at Shackelford Funeral Home in Selmer, TN, with Rev. Sam Pace and Rev. Linda Gabriel officiating. Burial will follow in Milledgeville Cemetery.
Because she loved the music at Emmanuel UMC so much, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Music Ministry of Emmanuel United Methodist Church.
Shackelford Funeral Directors of Selmer, 731-645-3481.
