Mrs. Mary Linda Robinson Bridges “Miss Linda” went home on Saturday, July 3, 2021 to join the Lord and her much missed son, Bruce Bridges, along with so many others she dearly loved.  It is not lost upon her family that her passing coincided with what would have been her son’s 53rd birthday.  Perhaps best put by a friend of the family, she exemplified the “quiet power of a life well-lived and a generous open heart.”  She passed in the hospital after a short and unexpected illness.

Linda was born in Clover, South Carolina and while she always lived and loved there, her dreams and impact reached far beyond her sweet hometown.

Her defining characteristic was her ability to love limitlessly.  Linda embodied compassion, resilience, and a selfless nature; while being warm and approachable, she was also witty, well-read, and full of moxie.  Her greatest joy was found in caring for others, including those she loved, the students in Clover, the elderly, and those who were simply fortunate to cross her path and encounter her random acts of loving kindness.  Her greatest pride was rooted in her two children Bruce, Jr. and Ashley Elizabeth—who would have been nothing save for her choosing to allow them to stand upon her shoulders—and her five grandchildren, Lily Claire, Graham, Spencer, Elizabeth, and Andrew. 

Linda found a joie de vivre in adventures like chasing the snow on trips with her daughter and exploring New York fearlessly, while waiting outside Broadway stage doors in the snow for autographs.  She also found sincere joy in simple pleasures like playing rummy, cooking for others, fishing, and attending Clemson football games with Big Bruce since the 1960s.  She worked at Ticaro, Versatile Knits, Clover School District, and Cloverleaf Metal Products—a company she founded with her husband.  In her, unexpectedly, final years, she was profoundly satisfied by helping raise her grandchildren as their beloved “Momma Linda” and “Nana,” exploring Boston, and traveling country roads in Upstate New York and Maine with her family. 

Linda was preceded in death by her son—Bruce K. Bridges, Jr., her parents—Brice and Mary Robinson, and her brothers Lawrence Robinson and Lindsay Cody Robinson.  She is survived by her husband Bruce Bridges, Sr., her daughter Ashley Elizabeth Bridges Benecchi and well-loved son-in-law Chris Benecchi, five grandchildren—Lily Claire, Graham, Spencer, Elizabeth, and Andrew Benecchi, and two sisters-in-law who were dear friends—Brenda Kay Bridges and Sarah Duncan Robinson.  Graham would like people to remember that his Nana was “sweet and loved everybody very much.” She also leaves behind many dear cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

The family would like to extend a particular thanks to her final physician, Dr. William Averett of Atrium Health, who worked tirelessly to both care for Linda’s health and to comfort and support her family during an unimaginably difficult chapter.

Linda’s life will be honored with a visitation at M. L. Ford and Sons Funeral Home, 209 N. Main St., Clover, SC on Thursday, July 15th from 6-8 p.m.  A graveside service will follow on Friday, July 16th at 11:00 AM at Beersheba Cemetery, 130 S. Beersheba Rd. Clover, SC. 

Flowers are welcome as memorials, but donations to The Bruce Bridges Scholarship Fund are also appreciated by mailing a check marked with Bruce’s and Linda’s name to The Lexington County School District One Educational Foundation, PO Box 1869, Lexington, SC 29071.  

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.