Eileen Carla Bridges

A memorial service will be held on Sunday January 19, 2025 at 1pm at Clinton Avenue United Methodist Church.

In Lieu of Flowers, Donations may be made to Ulster Immigrant Defense Network.

Eileen Carla Bridges
July 23, 1959 – Dec 16, 2024

Our beloved Carla was a force to be reckoned with. She loved hard, danced hard, laughed out loud, fought hard and held you to a level of expectation that was hardly ever met. You either loved her, liked her, didn't quite understand her, and many didn't really know her, but you never forgot her.

Carla was born Eileen Carla to Edward and Betty Bridges on July 23, 1959. She graduated from Taft High School (Bronx, NY) and then obtained a Bachelor of Science from the City College of NY. And went on to complete her master's degree in special education.  During her career she taught in New York City Schools, worked for the State of New York in supporting adults with special needs and finally worked for the family business as the property manager. Carla has housed the left out, employed and rescued the lost and befriended those left behind.

Performing Arts was in Carla's blood. As a young woman she worked hard to enter theater, but after many difficult auditions she realized that was not for her.  However, she performed in the community and at church reciting poems, storytelling, and writing plays for the youth to perform. And Carla loved the Cello. She took many lessons, believing she could play with some of the most esteemed celloist. And if you ever had a chance to hear her you know that God understood her heart and was really the only one who could appreciate her efforts. ;-) But that same love led her to sponsor many youths in the family to learn how to read music and play an instrument of their choice. Then she would have sponsored those who would play in the band/orchestra she could play in.

As an adult, Carla was an active member at Butler Memorial United Methodist Church where she served as a Sunday School Teacher and was a Certified Lay Speaker.  She delivered thought provoking sermons that often-sparked deep conversations and generated heated discussions. After moving to Kingston, NY, she transferred her membership to the Clinton Avenue United Methodist Church (The One Hope Community) where she was the current Lay Leader.  Carla was active in all aspects of the church, she served as a trustee, continued to deliver thought provoking messages and helped the pastor by identifying laity to serve in different areas in the church.

Carla was always ready to go, though she was known to be directionally challenged. With her Mother and Aunt she has traveled internationally, visiting several countries; domestically, she visited many of the National Parks, and even ventured on road trips with her cousin across country.

She was proceeded in death by her father Edward, her brothers, Voner Coggin and John Coggin. She leaves to mourn her death, her mother, Betty Bridges, her aunt Rev. Estella Voner Abel, her step-sister, Vivian Evans, her first cousins, Juan Voner, Rev. Dr. Elizabeth C. Abel, John Voner (Carmen), J'Scharla Adkins (David), Deneane "Nina" Brown-Blackmon (Larry) and the their families. Her younger cousins, who she affectionally treated as nieces, Eva Abel, Taylor Voner, and Camille Voner. Her beloved California cousins and their children. Her close friend Bernard Nixon. Her partner in mission David Boyd. William McClain and Maeling Campbell and their families. And a host of other family and friends too numerous to name.

Carla continues to serve others as an organ donor.