Vernetta Bridges of Pittsburg, CA passed away on Monday, August 28th at the age of 81.  She touched many lives with her gentle spirit and positive outlook on life.
Vernetta was born in Forest, MS and graduated from Piney Woods Country Life School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas.  She met and married the love of her life Benjamin Bridges in 1960. To this union, three children were born: Marilyn Partridge, Benjamin C. Bridges, and Sheila D. Davis.  Her long and illustrious teaching career spanned over 35 years to include 2 years in Chicago, IL before moving to Pittsburg, CA and starting her fulltime teaching career in 1967.
Vernetta earned her Master's degree in Education in 1978 from the University of California Hayward before retiring in 2002 from the Pittsburg Unified School District after earning teacher of the year honors for the 1999 to 2000 school year.
Vernetta enjoyed entertaining and in addition to being an exemplary homemaker and elegant hostess, she was cherished by her many family and friends for her thoughtful, loving spirit and her wise counsel.
Among the civic and professional organizations with which she was affiliated were the Piney Woods School Northern California Alumni Association, Jarvis Christian College Bay Area Alumni Association, American Association of University Women, California Teachers Association, Pittsburg Education Association, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. to name a few.
Vernetta was preceded in death by her husband Benjamin and her sister Jeanette Fortune, of Walnut Grove, MS.  Vernetta leaves to cherish her memory, her three children: Marilyn E. Partridge, Pittsburg, CA; Benjamin C. Bridges, (Ericka) El Paso, Texas; and Sheila D. Davis (Johnny) American Canyon, CA; Siblings: James W. Jones, (Wilma) Florida; Deonia Jones, Georgia; Louis C. Jones, (Theresa) Georgia and Seven grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, September 8th, 2017 at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church, 204 Odessa Av, Pittsburg, CA 94565