Terrell "T.J." Bridges

Terrell Bridges died on June 12, 2025 in the company of family and friends, at 97 years of age at his home, Mount Carmel Assisted Living in Benton, Arkansas. He was born in Pulaski County on July 3, 1927 to John Terrell Bridges and Hazel Helen Hart Bridges and was the oldest of five siblings. He is preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and his bride of 72 years, Geraldine (Jerry) Willmon Bridges.

TJ Bridges was a proud veteran of World War II, a former employee of Reynold’s Metals Company, as well as the Arkansas State Hospital in Benton.

TJ and Jerry were longtime members of First Baptist Church in Benton, where he served as a deacon, and later as Deacon Emeritus. He was a lifelong student of the Bible, supported many Christian ministries, and was a member of the Gideons for several years. 

TJ was kind, compassionate, wise, even-tempered, and well-respected by all who knew him. He was a man who was a friend to many, loved God, and loved his family especially well. He will be greatly missed by loved ones who now look forward to joining him one day in the presence and worship of Jesus Christ.

TJ is survived by his daughter, Janie Calhoun and her husband, Dr. Richard Calhoun, of Little Rock. He is also survived by three grandchildren and their spouses: Carly and Ryan Grace and Whit and Lauren Calhoun of Fayetteville, AR, and Meredith and Reece Woodruff of Edmonds, WA.

TJ’s nine great-grandchildren were a special joy to him: Gilbert, Gibson, Georgia, and Griffin Grace, Piper and Sutton Calhoun, and Elanor, Owen, and Lucy Woodruff. They all called him “Papa”.

Visitation with the family will be on Thursday, July 3, 2025 at 10:00 am, followed by the funeral at 11:00 am at Smith Funeral Home, 322 N. Market, Benton, AR. (This day would have been TJ’s 98th birthday.) A private burial will be a few days later at Rosemont Cemetery in Benton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in TJ’s name to Samaritan’s Purse at https://www.samaritanspurse.org, St. Jude’s Hospital at www.stjude.org, or Verse by Verse Ministries at https://versebyverseministry.org/donate.

Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.