Written By Tawana Bain

“In loving memory of Ulysses ‘Junior’ Bridgeman, beloved husband, father, and pillar of the Louisville community—whose enduring partnership with Doris exemplified a life grounded in faith, family, and service.”

A few months ago, I found myself in the middle of a lively annual post-Thanksgiving bowling tournament with the Bridgeman family. I was ready to bowl, but when I saw how many people were vying for lanes, I decided to enjoy my spicey chicken sandwich at the concession stand instead. Little did I know that this spur-of-the-moment choice would lead to an afternoon conversation I’ll cherish forever—a conversation with the incomparable Mrs. Doris Bridgeman. One that leads me to believe, that Doris is the silent CEO, quietly running the entire show on the home front orchestrating the family’s future one smart decision at a time while, leveraging the same business acumen she once used in her career. Building the unshakable foundation that allowed Junior’s empire to flourish. And no one can convince me otherwise!

Doris and I sat across one another at a small table, reminiscing about the beautiful Thanksgiving she hosted on Thanksgiving Day, swapping stories about our grandchildren and just life in general. For the Bridgemans, Thanksgiving is no ordinary day. Doris and her late husband, Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman, open their home to over a hundred family members each year. Most of us would be intimidated by that level of preparation—food galore, coordinating, decorating, and hosting for such a large group. But Doris relishes it. Year after year, she spares no detail to make the day special for her sprawling family. The way she recounted the festivities told me that, for her, the real joy comes from serving and loving her family in big, beautiful ways.

That day in the bowling alley, I witnessed the same qualities that have made Doris the pillar of her family for decades: humility, faith, and a powerful intelligence that’s evident in everything she does. Truth be told, Mr. Bridgeman’s success was in large part due to having such a faithful, humble, and extremely perceptive wife steering their life behind the scenes. How many of us can relate? While Junior might have been the public face—first as an NBA athlete and then as an accomplished entrepreneur—Doris is the steadfast partner cheering him on, offering strategic advice, and making sure the home front is secure. She often jokes that she’s a few years older, so no wonder she had more time to gather wisdom and keep him on the straight and narrow!

I’ll never forget the stories she shared about her early years. Growing up in Louisville’s West End, she was surrounded by people who had big dreams but limited resources. Doris recalled looking at beautiful homes and imagining that someday, with God’s grace, she’d have the same. She stayed resolute in her vision, even when others couldn’t see her potential. She fell in love with Junior after the two met at the University of Louisville, sometimes confronting skepticism about whether their future would hold as his NBA career took him to new heights. Yet from day one, she believed in his dreams as fiercely as she believed in her own. And once married, their marriage became a partnership that balanced faith and love with a down-to-earth practicality.

But it’s not just Doris’s relationship with her husband that stands out. She raised her children—Eden, Justin, Ryan—to place faith in Christ above all else, instilling in them a discipline that combined fierce independence with unwavering family loyalty. She maintains that delicate balance many mothers strive for: being both respected and deeply loved. She encourages them to chart their own paths but never compromised on who they were raised to be. You see it in how they’ve all become successful in their own right, blending personal ambition with a heart for community.

In the wake of Mr. Bridgeman’s passing, I’ve watched Doris remain a steady presence. Heartbreak is inevitable when you lose a partner you’ve walked with for decades, but her spirit—rooted in faith—shines through even in sorrow. It reminds me that tragedy doesn’t have to diminish who we are; sometimes it illuminates qualities that were always there but go unnoticed until we see them in the midst of adversity.

A Lesson for All of Us

  1. Serve with Joy: Whether it’s opening your home to countless relatives or lending an ear to someone in need, approach service with a full heart. Doris finds her greatest joy in blessing others.
  2. Marry Vision with Action: Doris dreamed big, and she took practical steps—working hard, staying close to her faith, and learning the ropes of any unfamiliar world she stepped into. She applied that same thoughtful approach to bolstering Junior’s career and rearing her children.
  3. Root Yourself in Faith (and a Little Humor): If age is just a number, let Doris’s story remind you that wisdom can come from anywhere—sometimes even from the fact that you’re a few years older than the person you love. Carry it lightly, use it wisely, and keep faith as your anchor.

It’s not an exaggeration to say Doris’s example has left an indelible mark on me. I walked away from our bowling alley chat convinced that every woman can glean something from her spirit—be it the courage to love boldly, the humility to serve joyfully, or the quiet intelligence to remain steadfast through life’s storms.

During this period of bereavement, I invite everyone to lift Doris and the entire Bridgeman family in your thoughts and prayers. Let us also remember how Junior and Doris championed the West End of Louisville. If you’d like to pay tribute in a tangible way, please consider donating to the West End School in lieu of flowers by visiting: https://westendschool.kindful.com/?campaign=1356077

Doris Bridgeman’s life is a testament to faithful partnership, relentless service, and a humility that uplifts everyone around her. Even in the midst of heartbreak, she stands as an example of perseverance and grace. May we all carry forward the lessons she teaches—both spoken and unspoken—and strive to leave a similar legacy of family, faith, and love in our own journeys.

Please join us in the celebration of her husband Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman’s life at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Southeast Christian Church (920 Blankenbaker Pkwy).