Gwendolyn Bridges Axtle, 86, passed away peacefully on Nov. 27, 2024, with her daughter by her side. She was born in Many, La. on Oct. 28, 1938, to A.C. and Edith Bridges and raised in Leesville and Florien, La.  She graduated from Northwestern State University, after earning a full scholarship to attend, and it was there that she met the love of her life, Ralph Axtle.  She and Ralph married on Aug. 2, 1958, and spent the next 50 years side by side, building a life and a family together.

Left to cherish Gwen’s memory are her children, Brian Axtle, Karen Axtle Tyler (Dennis) and Douglas Axtle (Carol); her grandchildren, Garrett Axtle, Grace Axtle, Richard Axtle and Brijette Mercer; her great-grandchild, Preston Axtle; brothers, Harold Bridges (Lynn), Fred Bridges (Robin); sisters, Elaine Stanley (D.A.) and Patricia Lang; brothers-in-law, William Westfall and Lee Louviere; her Godchild, Susan Brook, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ralph; her parents; her father and mother-in-law, James and Lucille Axtle; her sisters, Gaile Westfall and Edie Louviere; her brother, Lamar Bridges; her sister-in-law, Barbara Brook, and her brother-in-law, Ronnie Brook.

Visitation will take place in the church foyer on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025 at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Carlyss, La. at 10 a.m. A Mass will be held for Gwen at 11 a.m. following the visitation. Following the Mass, Gwen will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband at Mimosa Pines Cemetery in Carlyss, La.