St. George, Utah - Our loving mother and grandmother, Charlotte Hesstel Bridge-Hillstead Smith, 86, passed away on June 25, 2026 in St. George, Utah. She was born March 24, 1940 in Reedley, California to Emil Johann Fritz Britschgi and Fannie Easter Lillian Hess. She married Robert Lavor Hillstead on December 18, 1959 in Las Vegas, Nevada and later married Verl Robert Smith on March 25, 2003 in St. George, Utah.

Charlotte grew up in Dinuba, California and graduated from Dinuba Joint Union High School in 1958. As an adult she joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in the Nursery, Young Women, and Relief Society. After she married Robert, they lived in Henderson, Nevada and later moved to Overton, Nevada. She moved to St. George after marrying Verl in 2003. Charlotte’s greatest joy was her family. She was the proud mother of ten children and loved crocheting, quilting, swimming, and spending time with her grandchildren. She didn’t do a lot of traveling but she did get to visit her hometown, Dinuba, California for her 85th birthday celebration with her children.

Charlotte is survived by her children: Maralee (Brad) Bowler of West Valley City, Utah, Robert (Sheryl) Hillstead of St. George, Utah, Carla (Jim) Rawson of Logandale, Nevada, Deanna (Bernhard) Spoerri of West Jordan, Utah, Bonnie (Vernon) Pollock of Bunkerville, Nevada, Kip (Charmaine) Hillstead of Las Vegas, Nevada, Bryan (Cindy) Hillstead of Overton, Nevada, and Tami (Darin) Jones of Logandale, Nevada; 32 grandchildren; 44 great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Fannie Easter Lillian Hess; her father, Emil Johann Fritz Britschgi; her brother Emil Thurman Bridge; her brother Oscar Grover Bridge; her sister, Oscalene Francis Rhode; her husband, Robert Lavor Hillstead; her husband, Verl Robert Smith; her son, Kim Noah Hillstead, her daughter, baby girl Hillstead; and 2 grandchildren.

A memorial service will be Monday, July 6, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm at the Metcalf Bonzo Mortuary, 288 W St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah.

A graveside service will be Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Fairview, Wyoming Cemetery, from Fairview North Rd, take a left onto Spring Creek Rd, which will lead directly to the cemetery. Interment will be in the Fairview, Wyoming Cemetery.