Nova Bridges

Our dear mother, Nova Inez Bridges, Inez or Miss Nova to all who knew her, passed away peacefully at the age of 95 on September 27, 2022 surrounded by family. She was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, daughter, and friend.

Inez was born on November 24, 1926 in Salem, Arkansas to Joseph Charles “Charley” Harkleroad and Alma Annabell (O’Kelley) Harkleroad.   They moved to Cushing, Oklahoma where she graduated at age 16 in 1942.  She met her husband in 1947 and three months later they married on July 13.  Together they had 4 children.

Inez was a talented, creative homemaker and seamstress, always trying out new recipes and craft ideas. She designed and made the dresses for the bride, maid of honor, candle lighter, and herself for her oldest daughter’s wedding.

The family moved to Sapulpa, OK in 1963.  In 1966, she went to work as a pharmacy technician until she retired in 1999 to move to Stilwell, Ok.  Even though she worked, she was very involved in her children and grandchildren’s education. She was a PTA president at Washington Elementary School and a volunteer grandparent at Sapulpa Christian School. In 2005, she moved with family to her favorite place, Colorado. She lived there till they moved back to Stilwell in 2010.

She loved the outdoors, listening to the birds, working in her garden, reading, traveling to her favorite places and antiquing. Her favorite seasons were spring when her flowers began to bloom and fall when the trees changed their colors. She made friends wherever she was and was loved by many.

Inez was preceded in death by her husband, Charles James Bridges; her parents; five brothers; one sister; one niece and one great-granddaughter, Berlin Rose Iliff.

She is survived by daughters: Diana (Jim) Seiler of Yukon, OK; Charlisa “Lisa” (Chuck) Iliff of Collinsville, OK;  E’Lizabeth (Dane) Hall of Stilwell, OK; and son: David Charles (Rhonda) Bridges of Sand Springs, OK, 11 grandchildren: Jennifer Seiler-Limestall of Oklahoma City, OK and Patrick Seiler of Yukon, OK, Ivy (Colin) Rodin of Red Rock, OK, Charles (Suzy) Iliff of Tulsa, OK, and Brandy Iliff of Collinsville, OK, Megan Lucas (Matthew Keen) of Stilwell, OK, Thomas Lucas of Tulsa, OK, and Autumn Hall of Tulsa, OK, Aubrey (Kris) Higgins of Claremore, OK, Zack (Hannah) Moseley of Tulsa, OK, and Zane Bridges of Sand Springs, OK; 9 great grandchildren: Syler Rex of Yukon, OK, Richard “Alex” Rex of Mustang, OK, William “Drew” Rogers and Gabriel “Gabe” Rogers both of Yukon, OK, Avery Iliff, Jake Iliff, and Luke Iliff all of Tulsa, OK, Madison Kailee Grace Keen due November 2022 of Stilwell, OK; Isaac Higgins of Claremore, OK and Maverick Moseley of Tulsa, OK, one brother-in-law, two sister-in-laws, numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

A private interment was held Thursday, October 6, 2022.  Family and friends are invited to a “Celebration of Life” on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 2 PM at Camp Egan and Retreat Center (Lusk Lodge Meeting Room). Camp Egan, 26633 Highway 62, Tahlequah, OK. For directions go to www.egancrc.org

The family encourages attendees to wear bright colors. Flowers can be sent to Roberts, Reed, and Culver Funeral Home in Stilwell. Memorials may be made to support the research for bone health and osteoporosis

https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/support-bhof/donate/