Bridget Marie Layne

Bridget Marie Bragg Layne, 59, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2026, at the McGraw Center Community Hospice in Jacksonville, Florida, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born Bridget Marie Bragg on July 26, 1966, in Atlanta, she entered the world four minutes before her beloved twin sister, Gidget (Maybin). She was the eldest of four children born to John and Gail Bragg, with her sister Gidget, and later younger siblings Julie (Cassell) and Christopher Bragg.

Bridget spent her childhood in Morrow and Douglasville, Georgia, before moving with her family to Swainsboro at the age of 14. She graduated from Swainsboro High School in 1984, where she was Homecoming Queen and an active student leader. She participated in Student Council, Beta Club, Drama, and Girls' Trio, forming friendships and memories that remained dear throughout her life.

She began her career as a legal secretary in Swainsboro and Lyons before answering a calling to nursing. Bridget attended Emanuel County Junior College (now Georgia Southern University East Georgia Campus) and later earned both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from Georgia Southern University. She served patients with compassion in Vidalia as a registered nurse in the hospital, office, and home health settings.

Although she excelled as a nurse, Bridget discovered her true passion in teaching. At Southeast Technical College, she inspired countless future nurses as an instructor and then helped develop the nursing program at Coastal Georgia Technical College, ultimately serving as Dean of Allied Health. She took great pride in mentoring students, encouraging them to pursue excellence while caring deeply for those they would one day serve. Many of her former students and colleagues remember Bridget not only for the knowledge she shared, but for the confidence, compassion, and encouragement she instilled in each of them.

Above all else, Bridget treasured her family. She is survived by her beloved children: Sarah Allyson Layne Manning and her husband, JR Manning; Mary Elizabeth Layne and her husband, Sullivan Poore; and John Ian Atkins and his wife, Samantha Schultz Atkins. She also leaves behind her father, John Bragg of Athens; her twin sister, Gidget Maybin of Mount Vernon; her sister, Julie Cassell of Orlando, Florida; her brother, Christopher Bragg of Athens; her nieces and nephews, Jessica Ritchie, Kristen Powell, Mason, Adam, and Liam Cassell, and Benjamin, Samuel, and Charlotte Bragg; as well as many other beloved extended family members and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved grandmother, Mary Powell Bragg of Swainsboro; the father of her daughters, Alan Layne of Lyons; and her mother, Gail Bragg of Athens.

Bridget will be remembered for her generous heart, unwavering encouragement, and remarkable ability to make everyone feel loved and treasured. She found joy in cooking meals that gathered family and friends around the table, writing, and sharing her love of music. Whether offering a listening ear, preparing a favorite meal, or blessing those she loved, Bridget gave of herself freely and wholeheartedly. She found her greatest happiness by pouring into others, especially her family. The love she poured into them—and into so many others through her nursing, teaching, and friendship—will remain her enduring legacy.

Her family rejoices in the hope and promise of a heavenly reunion through Jesus Christ, where sickness and pain will be no more.

A Celebration of Life service will take place at Chapman Funeral Home in Swainsboro on Saturday, July 25, at 2pm. 

Condolences may be expressed at www.chapmanfhofswainsboro.com

Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro is in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Bridget Marie Bragg Layne, 59, of Swainsboro.