SIKESTON -- Baxter Lee Bridges Jr., 85, of Sikeston died Thursday, Feb. 3, 2000, at Missouri Delta Medical Center.

He was born June 9, 1914, in Clarksville, Ark., son of Baxter Lane and Bertha Matthews Bridges Sr. He and Velma Mae White were married March 26, 1934, in Clarksville.

Mr. Bridges was a general merchandise store owner and independent trucker and land owner. He lived in Sikeston more than 50 years. He was a member of Shady Acres Church of Christ and Sikeston Masonic Lodge.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Tommy Bridges of Virginia Beach, Va.; four daughters, Barbara Love and husband Garry of Sikeston, Patsy Bridges of the home, Virginia DuPont and husband David of Sikeston, and Glenda Spangler Bridges of Sikeston.

Also surviving is a sister, Louise Norman of Huntsville, Ala.; four grandchildren, Karen Turner and David Love of Sikeston, Mark Bridges of San Francisco, Calif., Vanessa Bridges of Virginia Beach; and two great-granddaughters, Krista and Ashley Taylor of Sikeston.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Herbert and Ray Bridges, and a sister, Mary Ellen Bridges.

He was loved by all who knew him and will be sadly missed.

Friends may call at Blanchard Funeral Chapel from 5-8 p.m. today. Masonic rites will be held at 7.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the chapel, with the Rev. Lee Fansler, pastor of the Blodgett Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery.