Audrey Louise Bridgewater

Audrey Louise Allmon Bridgewater February 11, 1928 — April 24, 2023 Cortez Audrey Louise Sphar was born to Matilda and Aud Sphar at their trading post in Towaoc, Colorado.  She grew up at the trading post and during the Depression the family moved to Cortez.  She married Lee Allmon on August 31,1946.  They had two children, David and Cammy.  Lee passed away June 30, 1988.  After many years alone she met and married Harold Bridgewater, December 10, 2000.  Harold passed away November 11, 2005. She was blessed to have been married to two great men. She attended school and graduated from Cortez High School in 1945.  She started college at the old Fort Lewis College near Hesperus.  At the age of 16 she was granted an emergency teachers license and started teaching in a one room schoolhouse at Blue Door.  She also taught in Aztec, Lakeview, and Grants, NM.  She taught at BattleRock School from 1957 to 1993.  Audrey was awarded Colorado Teacher of the year in 1972.  Eventually she earned her Masters Degree in Education from Brigham Young University. After retiring from BattleRock Elementary school she taught at the Unlimited Learning Center helping adults get their GEDs. Since childhood she was a tomboy.  She told an adventurous story of being young and roping a wild mustang stallion.  After she had roped the wild stallion she didn't know what to do.  Eventually she let go of the rope.  Probably for the best. She was always a tough cowgirl. What she loved most was moving cows with the Zwickers.  Many springs were spent moving cows from the bottom of McElmo to the mountains. She broke quite a few bones during those times – horses fell and cattle kicked.  And, there was nothing like branding the Zwicker way! Audrey was an incredible musician.  She taught herself how to play the piano and played "by ear".  She also taught herself to play other instruments   She enjoyed singing as she played her honkytonk songs. Audrey loved her 4-H kids.  Great times were had, such as pulling kids on inner tubes through the snow on "Whiskey Road", camping out on Ute Mountain and many other 4-H activities.    Throughout her life, community service flowed through her heart.  She helped countless number of people. She continued wanting to serve even when she was unable to.  She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She is survived by her son David (Carla) Allmon and daughter, Cammy (Gary) Stevens; grandchildren Shalona (Trent) Jones, Jessica Allmon, Jake Allmon, Kaelee (Taz) Allmon, Cassy (John) Whitehead, and Skyler (Tom) Larkin.  Her great grandchildren, Tay and Traevyn Wheat, Shaelee, Mila and Ava Jones, Haven Allmon and Aiden Larkin and Nephew, Robert Sphar. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Allen Sphar, 2 infant brothers Leroy and Clinton, her husbands, and great granddaughter Grace Jones Audrey truly lived an incredibly full life.  God has gained a faithful, very busy servant.  May he bless her and keep her close (and busy). https://www.ertelfuneralhome.com/obituaries/audrey-allmon-bridgewater