Esther M. Brideges was born on November 16, 1925 in Cherokee County, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of the late William Arthur and Annie [Sallis/Silas] Bridges.

Esther received her education in Wagoner, Oklahoma and graduated from Lincoln High School. In 1949, the family moved to Muskogee, where Esther became a member of Jerusalem Baptist Church.

In 1952, she moved to Kansas City and lived with her sister, Percy Richardson. While in Kansas City, she united with St. Stephen Baptist Church and was employed by Ford Motor Company.

Later, when her mother became ill, she moved back to Muskogee. In 1970, she returned to Kansas City to help take care of her sister, Percy Richardson. Esther remained in Kansas until her death.

Esther enjoyed fishing. Although she never had any children of her own, her nieces and nephews were like her own children.

She leaves to cherish her memory; her nephews, Harris Waters and M. C. Richardson; her nieces, Sharon Madge, Barbara Smith, Carolyn Hurd and Sandra Hurd; along with other family members and friends.

The final tribute is Saturday, February 18, 2006 at 11:00 A.M. in the Four Mile Branch Baptist Church. Rev. Marcus Riddle, officiating. Burial in Four Mile Branch Cemetery.