Louamy (Bolden) Bridgeman-Simpson

Louamy Bridgeman-Simpson (nee Bolden) of Hammond, Indiana, passed away early on Sunday, March 22, 2020 at her home.  She was 100 years old.  She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Emmett Bridgeman, her parents Molly Bolden and Sylvester Bolden, and her siblings L.B. Bolden, Jessie Bolden and Geneva Johnson.  She is survived by her sister-in-law Mattie Bolden; goddaughters Sarah Upshaw and Mary Lou, Jessica Kaufman, and Dina Morgan; nieces and nephews Delores Moore, Bobbie Hill, Earline Horton, Janet Bolden, Vernor Bolden, Michael Bolden, Antonio Bolden, Jerry Bolden, Marvin Bolden, Angela Godfrey, and Loletha Posey; and was a loving aunt to many great-nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. 

Louamy was born in 1919 into a farming family in Rondo, Arkansas, and moved to the Chicago area during the Great Migration, along with her siblings.  She was variously known as Amy, Ms. Amy, Loulou, Cutting Lou, and Auntie.  She was a professional caregiver well into her 70s. While she had no biological children, she was mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to many, from her many nieces and nephews to the kids on Ray Avenue, whom she claimed would not give her a moment’s peace (because she indulged them endlessly), to the children that she raised with the same love and care that she would her own, to her own incredible caregivers—Rita Smalley, Tiffany Wade, Katie Neal, Trina Walker, and Shawnta Robinson.  She was devoted to her friends and family, to the Lord, and to her enormous garden.  She embodied Christian principles of faith, generosity, love, appreciation, and kindness each day in spite of difficulties and challenges.  Louamy was “still kickin’” every day.  She let her light shine for all of her 100 years; everyone she left behind carry her strength, warmth, and joyful spirit in their hearts.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 27, 2020 at 11:00 am at Fife Funeral Home, 4201 Indianapolis Blvd., East Chicago, IN.  Burial to follow at Concordia Cemetery, in Hammond, Indiana.  Visitation at  Fife Funeral Home will be from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Friday, March 27.  So that everyone may celebrate Louamy’s glorious life, an additional celebration will take place this summer, with details to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Louamy’s memory may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago, www.bbbschgo.org.  To share on online condolence, log on to www.fifefuneralhome.com.

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT PURSUANT TO AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ISSUED BY INDIANA GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB, BEGINNING 11:59 PM, TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020 THRU MINIMALLY 11:59 PM ON MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020, ALL FUNERAL EVENTS OF ANY KIND ARE TO BE LIMITED TO NO MORE THAN 10 PEOPLE IN ASSEMBLY AT ANY ONE TIME IN LOCATION WITH ALL SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS IN OBSERVANCE.

Special thanks from Delores Moore:  I want to give thanks to our Lord Jesus Chris, our savior. To Gussie, my aunt’s best friend, who is the sweetest person I ever met. She was non-stop supportive to Louamy through hospital and nursing stays, and at home, where Louamy wanted to be.  Gussie has always been there for me whenever I called and was in need.  To my son Richard whose been attentive with his love for Louamy.  He helped with lawn work, painting, and laying floors—all he could do out of love. To Calvin, who loved Louamy dearly as a grandmother, and she adored him.  Calvin loved getting her lottery scratchers, going to the grocery store coming to change a bulb or a fuse—he was always there visiting showing how much he cared for and loved her.  To Jessica for loving Louamy with all her heart.  She would do anything for her.  Jessica’s love is everlasting with pouring support.  To Sandi for all her patience, love, and compassion—you have been such a good friend with me through this journey.  I have been so blessed to have each of you embrace me. The selfless love you gave Louamy is felt.  She loved all of you so much.

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