Elfreda Gwen (Bridges) Burke

Elfreda Gwen Burke, 77, of Vidor, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 peacefully at home.

Freda was born in Pineville, LA to AG and Melvie Bridges, the third of eight children on December 15, 1942. She graduated with the last class at Mt. Caramel H.S., LA in 1960. She then attended Ayres Business School in Shreveport, LA. During that time, she lived at The Business Girls’ Inn there and met her future husband, Paul Burke. Elfreda and Paul married May 4, 1962 and have enjoyed 58 blessed years together. They have a daughter Phyllis and a son Phillip.

Freda began her career working for the Sears and Roebuck company in the controller’s office. After transferring to the Vidor area with Paul’s job and starting a family, she re-entered the work force in the Vidor Tax Office. She later transferred to the High School campus to be the principal’s secretary. She served in that position with five principals’ until she retired in 1998 with 25 years of service.

Freda was a member of First Baptist Church Vidor since 1962 and faithfully attended as long as she was able. Her children and grandchildren were her top priority, and her greatest joy was when everyone was together. She loved visiting with friends and family and always had a pot of coffee ready with a welcoming smile. Even at a moment’s notice, she loved entertaining.

Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband, Paul Burke of Vidor; her daughter, Phyllis Stephenson and husband Charlie of Lumberton; her son, Phillip Burke and wife Sarah of Fannett; her grandchildren, Jessica Tipton and husband Reid, Hunter Hargrove and wife Rylee, Lyndsie Burke, Michael Stephenson and wife Alicia, Britni Stephenson, Callie Saurage and Kyle Saurage; her great-grandchild, Mila Stephenson; her brothers, Jerry Bridges and wife Leatha, Donald Bridges and wife Mina Gail, Dwayne Bridges, Winston Bridges and wife Renee; her sisters, Sandra Beckham and husband Dudley, Connie Minter and husband Jimmy, Beverly Bowling and husband Danny.

Elfreda is preceded in death by her parents, AG and Melvie Bridges.

A celebration of her life will be on Monday July 27, 2020 with a walk through visitation at Northwest Baptist Church, 345 Filmore Vidor, TX 77662 beginning at 10:00 AM with a graveside service at Restlawn Memorial Park, 2725 N Main St Vidor, TX 77662 at 11:00 AM. All safety precautions will be followed such as temperature checks and mask requirements. The family would like to express our gratitude to Heart to Heart Hospice for their excellent, loving care and would like to personally thank Lori, Jessie, Mary, Stacy, and Lela for their kindness during this time.

The family asks that any memorial contributions be made to FBC Vidor, 350 N Main St. Vidor, TX 77662. 

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