Edward L. 'Bud' Pridgen, 86

CAMBRIDGE - Edward L. "Bud" Pridgen, 86, passed away at the Chesapeake Woods Center in Cambridge on Wednesday, April 16, 2008.

He was born in Fitzgerald, Ga. on Sept. 10, 1921, and was a son of the late John E. and Mae Oakes Pridgen.

Mr. Pridgen attended schools in Georgia. He went to work with his father building houses at an early age, and also worked for the railroad. Mr. Pridgen enlisted in the U.S. Army in August of 1940 and served until July of 1945. While in the Army he served in England, Scotland and Ireland, and landed on Normandy Beach within a few days after D-Day. While in the Army he was wounded and was awarded the Purple Heart.

Mr. Pridgen was a member and Past Exalted Ruler of Cambridge Lodge No. 1272 B.P.O.E., was a member and Past Commander of Dorchester Post 91 American Legion, and was also a member and Past Commander of Choptank Post 7460 V.F.W.

He had been a Boy Scout Leader for quite a few years and had been leader of Troop 209 and Troop 760.

He first married the former Etta Brooks on Dec. 14, 1942. She passed away on Nov. 23, 2000. He was later married to Betty Lou Reid on March 8, 2002.

For many years he worked for John Crocker Mechanical Contractors as a plumber and retired in 1985.

Mr. Pridgen was a member of Zion United Methodist Church in Cambridge where he had been active in the Men's Bible Class, was a member of the Goodtimers and had served on the Administrative Board and on the Board of Trustees. Mr. Pridgen had also worked as custodian at the church for a number of years. He was a faithful member of his coffee group which met six days a week.

Mr. Pridgen had been in failing health for several months when he passed away at the Chesapeake Woods Center in Cambridge on Wednesday morning.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Lou Reid Pridgen of Cambridge; two daughters, Sharon Bullock of Harrington, Del. and Stephanie Bloodsworth of Berlin; one son, Edward R. Pridgen and his wife, Christine Pridgen of Cambridge; two stepdaughters, Dona L. Rhodes and her husband, Dr. P. Gregg Rhodes of Easton, Sue Gregory and her husband, Al Gregory of Houston, Texas and six grandchildren, Joey Simmons, Nicole Green, Roger Bullock, Christopher Bloodsworth, Alison Warfield and Lauren Pridgen; two stepgrandchildren, Sarah Gregory and Christopher Gregory, both of Houston and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three sisters, Dorothy Paulk, Ouida Roberts and Iris Sidwell, all of Georgia; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joyce and Melvin Turner of Cambridge; several nieces and nephews and many caregivers.

In addition to his first wife he was preceded in death by three sisters.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Zion United Methodist Church with the Rev. Samuel H. McWilliams officiating. Burial will follow at Dorchester Memorial Park. The family will receive friends during the hour preceding the service.

Pallbearers will be W. Melvin Turner, Dr. P. Gregg Rhodes, William M. Burris, Joey Warfield, William Christopher, Clay Sidwell and Michael Christopher. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Men's Bible Class of Zion Church and the coffee group.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Endowment Fund of Zion United Methodist Church, 612 Locust St., Cambridge, MD 21613.

Arrangements are being handled by the Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge. Letters of condolence may be sent to www.thomasfuneralhomepa.com.