Charlene Kiser Bridges

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Charlene Kiser Bridges on Sunday, August 23, at her home in North Augusta, S.C. Charlene was born May 3, 1938, in Shelby, N.C., and was preceded in death by her parents, Virginia and ZJ Kiser, and her sisters, Amelia Poston and Lavon McSwain. Charlene is survived by her husband, Dr. Donald Bridges; their four children, Denise McMillan (Marshall), David Bridges (Michelle), Daryl Bridges (Wendy) and Donna Dejeu (Adrian); their grandchildren, Caroline Portillo, Matthew McMillan, Mary McMillan and Chris McMillan; Aaron Bridges and Ethan Bridges; Lauren Burris, Jackson Bridges and Grant Bridges; David Dejeu, Catherine Dejeu and Chip Dejeu; and 11 great-grandchildren. Charlene was the eldest of three girls, the daughter of two textile mill workers in Shelby. While their mother worked first shift, the sisters often made French fries, drank Coca-Cola and put off their chores, scrambling to finish before their mom got home. A lifelong connoisseur of shoes, she loved to visit her Aunt Mildred, who let her raid the closet for dress-up. During World War II, Mildred would pour Coca-Cola into crystal glasses and take Charlene for a drive in the country. There, family friends had a ham radio Mildred could use to talk with her husband, stationed in North Africa. Even as a teenager, Charlene knew what she wanted: to raise a Christian family and become an English teacher. She and Donald met in Algebra II class in 1954. She sat in the row beside him, a few seats back. At the time, Charlene was taken. But Donald held out hope that he might one day call the prettiest, sweetest girl in Shelby his girlfriend. On the last day of school that year, Donald borrowed his dad’s new car to pick up his report card. He spotted Charlene, her sisters and another neighborhood girl walking home and offered them a ride. Before Charlene left the car, he mustered the courage to ask her for another date. Things clicked and a much closer relationship soon followed thereafter. Donald spent most of his college years at N.C. State always coming home every couple of weeks to see Charlene. While away they maintained contact by writing each other practically every day. They were married in 1959, months before Charlene graduated from Meredith College with a teaching degree, and for the next 67 years they built a life together. With her four children, Charlene could be strict when she needed to be. But hers was an iron fist in a velvet glove. Her children knew they were loved, and they knew the rules she lived by: Don’t waste energy fretting – make a decision, stand by it and move on. Never be the first one at a party or the last to leave. And whether you’re making a weekly allowance or a big salary, always tithe. But Charlene also knew how to have fun. She loved roller coasters at Six Flags, driving her stick-shift Ford Mustang fast and making peanut butter Rice Krispies treats on a Friday night. Charlene taught school for 37 years, including 29 years teaching English and literature at Merriwether Middle School in Edgefield County. She also taught in Atlanta, North Carolina and on the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where Donald was stationed. In 1965, after two years overseas, Donald was eager to return stateside. Then came some unwelcome news: his tour had been extended by three months. The base commander, whose child was in Charlene’s class, wanted her to finish the school year with her students. A woman guided by her deep, abiding faith in Christ, Charlene led by example. She was a member of First Baptist Church, North Augusta, for 50 years and was woven into nearly every aspect of church life. She rocked infants in the nursery, taught children in Sunday school, served on committees, helped recruit pastors and went on mission trips at home and abroad. Her faith showed up in quieter ways, too. At least once a week, Charlene would cook a big meal and make extra for widowers in the neighborhood. She’d wrap up a few servings of turkey tetrazzini or chicken casserole, walk them over and stay for a visit. She did this for years, until her own health prevented her from doing so. Charlene was never the loudest voice in the room, but people of all ages were drawn to her warmth and easy laugh. Around age 6, her granddaughter Catherine started calling Mamaw her best friend – a distinction Charlene treasured. She and her college roommate remained close nearly seven decades after they’d shared a dorm room. The pair spent an afternoon together just two weeks before Charlene’s passing. Travel was a staple in Charlene’s adult life, and over her 88 years, she and Donald visited five continents and all 50 states. Their sightseeing took them from Death Valley, the lowest point in the U.S., to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. Even at age 85, she and Donald flew to Brazil for a grandson’s wedding and spent days hiking and boating around Iguazu Falls. But her favorite part of any trip was always the last leg: coming home to her beloved South Carolina, with its pecans, roadside peach stands and pick-your-own strawberry patches. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at First Baptist Church, North Augusta, SC with visitation one hour prior at 1:00 PM.

Charlene Kiser Bridges

May 3, 1938 - August 23, 2026