In the early morning hour on December 31, 2008 God called His daughter Susanne Wingate Bridges; our family Matriarch, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend; to his heavenly home.

Ms. Susanne Bridges daughter of Elizabeth Abraham was born in Darlington, SC on November 27, 1951. Upon her death she was a member of Second New Bethel Baptist Church, pastor Shannon L. Jessup.

After moving to Winston-Salem around 1977, Susanne raised her four children and adopted a fifth child in 1983. Two brothers, Willis C. Wingate and Windell Abraham joined her in Winston-Salem. Her 57 years on earth were blessed with many opportunities and she was very passionate about church, family, education, community work, good food and hospitality, reading and Western movies.

Susanne affectionately called "Suzie Q" was employed at both the Partnership for a Drug Free NC as a Substance Abuse Counselor and at Group Homes of Forsyth, Inc. as a Relief Resident Manager. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Gardner Webb University and graduated Summa Cum Laude in Professional Counseling at Regions Christian University in Montgomery, Alabama in 2007. The graduation service was held in May 2008.

Ms. Bridges worked tirelessly in her church and community for many years. She was the founder and director of Bridges Over Troubled Waters, Inc. (BOTW) a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization that addressed issues within a socially-economic disadvantaged area. BOTW was awarded with numerous grants and scholarships and Susanne received multiple awards for her leadership and community service. For many years, Ms. Bridges would cook and serve a Thanksgiving feast for the needy. She was a woman that others looked towards for leadership, guidance, comfort, and prayer.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Willis and Windell; one sister, Gail Griffin; and one grandchild.

She leaves to cherish her memories five children, Shelia (Odell) Marshall, Denise (Glenn) Fryer, Chato Carter, Richard Lynch, and Maria Wingate all of Winston-Salem, NC; sisters and brothers, Deloris (Laverne) Moses of SC, Gwendolyn (David) Smalls of SC, Larry Abraham of Winston-Salem, NC, Flone Gardner of SC, Barbara Ann Sloan of NJ, Jean Wright of SC, Carrie Hall of SC, Edward Bonaparte of SC, Carolyn Wingate of Winston-Salem, NC, Sharon Gurley of Florence, SC, and David Griffin of Florence, SC; her joy was the presence of her family, which consists of seven grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and relatives who adored their Aunt Sue.

Funeral services will be held at 2pm Sunday, January 4, 2008 from the Second New Bethel Baptist Church with Pastor Shannon L. Jessup officiating. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 1:30pm until 2pm on Sunday at the Church.