Dalton, Georgia - Mrs. Vera Claudette Bridges, age 86, of Dalton, Georgia, departed this life on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Dalton Square Assisted Living.

Born July 31, 1939, in LaFayette, Georgia, Vera was a daughter of the late Claude B. Tarvin and Ida Margaret Hall Tarvin. A true Southern lady, she was always impeccably dressed—with not a hair out of place—and carried herself with a quiet dignity and kindness that made everyone feel at home. Her life centered on her family, and she cherished the role of wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She and her beloved husband, Raymond Douglas "Doug" Bridges, shared more than fifty years of marriage before his passing, and though her health steadily declined in recent years, her love for her family never wavered.

Vera was a proud 1957 graduate of LaFayette High School.

She was also preceded in death by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Opal and Bob Bohannon, and Evelyn and Ronnie Carr.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Kelly Martin; son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Felicia Bridges, all of Dalton, GA; grandchildren, Matthew and Ashley Bridges, Jill and James Nichols, Brandi and Jason Chastine, and Jessica and Brandon Stokes; great-grandchildren, Jaden Nichols, Jace Nichols, Camden Machoka, Presley Chastine, and Jaycee Chastine; great-great-grandchildren, Laklann and Reid; sister, Maxine Foutz of Tunnel Hill, GA; brother, Keith Tarvin of LaFayette, GA; brothers-in-law, Terry Bridges of Florida and Ronnie Bridges of California; and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside services to celebrate the life of Mrs. Vera Claudette Bridges will be held Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Ponders Whitfield Memorial Gardens and Mausoleum, with Jason Chastine officiating. James Nichols, Brandon Stokes, David Hudson, Kelly Williams, Joey Carr, Mitch Morrison, and Chris Thomas are honored to serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at Ponders Melrose Chapel from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday, and after 11:00 a.m. Tuesday until the service hour.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Humane Society of Northwest Georgia, 1210 Veterans Dr., Dalton, GA 30721 (706.226.5002), or to the Alzheimer's Association, 922 E. Morris St., Dalton, GA 30721 (706.275.0819).

Arrangements are by Ponders Melrose Chapel, 138 Melrose Drive, Dalton, GA 30721.

706-226-4002 - www.selectedindependentfuneralhomes.org