Obituaries | Week of May 18, 2026
HARRY DUWAYNE BRIDGES SR.
Mr. Harry DuWayne Bridges Sr., 79, of Valley, Alabama passed away Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at the East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, Alabama.
A funeral service will be held noon ET Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at Vance Brooks Funeral Home in Phenix City, Alabama, with the Rev. Dr. H. DuWayne Bridges Jr. officiating. A private interment with military honors will follow at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery in Ft. Mitchell, Alabama. The family will receive friends Wednesday morning from 10 a.m. ET until noon, two hours prior to the service, at the funeral home.
Mr. Bridges was born June 10, 1946 in Shawnee, Oklahoma, son of the late Clem Millard Bridges and Maxine Steel Bridges. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corp during Vietnam. After his tenure in the military, he along with his family, owned and operated Bridges Boot Outlet and Bridges Truckstop in Cusseta, Alabama for 50 years. Mr. Bridges had a servant’s heart and demonstrated that through the numerous positions he held both locally and at the state level. He served locally as the President of the Chamber of Commerce, Chair of Valley Haven School, where he supported Hike-Bike-Run for over 20 years, Board Member of Intercel Corporation, Board Member of Colonial Bank and a Board Member of East Alabama Hospital in Valley. At the state level, Mr. Bridges served as a State Representative for 14 years, a member of the Governor’s Economic Development Board, Chair of the Mental Health and Retardation Board and Chair of the Veteran Affairs Commission of Alabama. Additionally, Mr. Bridges served as the National Director of Travel Plaza Operators, a Giddeon for 18 years and was a Member of the American Legion and the Marine Corp League.
Mr. Bridges was a man of faith and a long time member of the Assembly of God Church. Although he accomplished many things in his life, he remained a very humble and caring man. He loved the time he spent with his family and will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Barbara Alexander, Fran Wood and Janet Hunt; and two brothers, Larry Wayne Bridges and Lester David Stroud.
He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Patricia Rawls Bridges; a daughter, Karen Marie Bridges; a son, Rev. Dr. H. DuWayne Bridges Jr. and wife Jordaina; sisters, Gwen Davis and Teresa Collins; grandchildren, Leslie Knueven (Nathan), David Herrington Bridges (Allie), Daniel Herrington Bridges, Richard David Bridges (Scarlett), Michael Bridges, Andrew Bridges (Ruby), Lauren Godwin (Bryson), Carmen Bridges and Gabriel Bridges; great-grandchildren, Levi, Luke and John; several nieces, nephews, extended family and many caring friends.
To leave condolences online, visit www.vancebrooksfuneralhome.net.
REBECCA ANN KENNEDY
Rebecca Ann Kennedy Palmer, 58, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, formerly of LaFayette, Alabama, passed away on April 26, 2026 in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. She was born in LaFayette, Alabama on Oct. 4, 1967, to the late Lewis and Ann Kennedy.
Rebecca was employed at Lowes in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. She was an avid Alabama fan.
Rebecca is survived by children; Joshua Palmer of Auburn, Alabama, Amber Palmer of Opelika, Alabama, and Nicole Palmer of Opelika, Alabama, sister; Anita Smith of LaFayette, Alabama, niece and nephew; Caitlin (Robert) Royster and Justin Smith.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services were held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Camp Hill, Alabama on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 2 p.m. CT. The burial followed in church cemetery. Visitation was held at the church prior to the service.
Jeff Jones Funeral Home of LaFayette assisted with arrangements.
