Josephine Smith

Josephine Bridges was born in Opelika, Alabama on June 12, 1948, to the late John Henry and Mary Precious Bridges. She was the sixth of their seven children. Her family moved to Apopka, Florida in 1951. Josephine attended Phyllis Wheatley through High School. She played basketball and was a cheerleader. While on the cheerleading team, she once performed an advertisement for CR Smith under the direction of Ms. Betty Baker. Josephine was interested in business and participated in a Business School program. In 1966, she met and later married Sylvester Smith and to that union her eldest daughter, Tonya, and son, Sylvester Jr., were born. After divorce, she later had another daughter, Erica. Her three children were her heartbeats and she was devoted to them. As a single mother, she raised her children to be strong, confident, independent, and proud, just as she was. She mastered being both mother and friend to her children, knowing when each role was needed. In 1980, she met the man who became her longtime companion, Ed Dennison. Josephine and Ed shared a loving, supportive and genuine fondness for one another until her death. Josephine started employment at Martin Marietta and worked there until 1969. She worked as an assembler and was involved in making components for the circuit boards and the Shillelagh Missile. This missile was used by the American soldiers during the Viet Cong War. After leaving Martin Marietta, she joined Stromberg Carlson (now Siemens) where she worked as a quality inspector for old dial tone and push-button telephones. She retired from Siemens in April 2003 and enjoyed spending time with her family, shopping and babysitting her grandson, Jabari. Josephine loved her Phyllis Wheatley classmates and cherished the time they spent together, whether at the Biennial Phyllis Wheatley class reunions or other gatherings. In her younger years, she played softball as the center fielder with Henry Insurance of Apopka. In retirement, she participated in the Apopka Progressive Senior Club. Josephine had a very gracious and pleasant personality and enjoyed being around people. She especially loved her family and the frequent family gatherings no matter the occasion. Her favorite holidays were Thanksgiving and Christmas because of their family focus, and some of her favorite activities were decorating for the holidays and listening to music. Her favorite gospel group was the Williams Brothers; her favorite artist was Frankie Beverly and Maze; and, her favorite song was "Jesus is Love”, by the Commodores featuring Lionel Richie. Josephine was very fashionable and enjoyed the finer things in life. She also enjoyed family road trips, football games, and cooking. On the weekends, she would sit on her front porch with children, nieces, and nephews eating breakfast and drinking coffee. Josephine was passionate, caring, dedicated, and committed to her children. Her family always came first. She had a gentle spirit but could also be very humorous at times. Her favorite color was blue and she loved her mother’s dressing and mastered her mother’s recipe perfectly. Her favorite TV shows were "Blue Blood", "Matlock", any of the Judges shows, and "Family Feud". She was a faithful and dedicated member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Apopka, Florida where she served on the Adult Usher Board. Josephine was a dedicated daughter, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, caregiver to her parents, and friend to all. On Sunday, February 11, 2024, Josephine transitioned to God's Kingdom. Her departure is a deep, personal hurt and loss to her family and she will be profoundly missed by them all. Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, John Henry and Mary Precious Bridges, brother, Henry Louis (Sonny) Bridges, Sisters, Geraldine McGraw, Joann Bridges, and Mary C. Bridges. Josephine leaves to cherish her memory: A loving, devoted, and caring Companion, Ed Dennison, Apopka, FL; 3 children, Tonya Williams (Terry), Daytona Beach, FL, Sylvester Smith Jr., and Erica Childers, both of Apopka, FL; 6 Grandchildren, Krenishia Smith, Adarian Smith, Sylvester Smith III, Jasean Smith, Shaila Smith, and Jabari Wilson, all of Apopka, FL; 5 Great-Grandchildren; 2 Brothers, Nathaniel Bridges, New York, NY, and Arnell Bridges (Bernice), Orlando, FL; a host of wonderful nieces, nephews cousins and sorrowing friends.

Tributes

Josephine Smith

June 12, 1948 - February 11, 2024