Bridger Owen Ensley, age 10, passed away on Monday, March 28, 2022 at Mission Hospital in Asheville. His brother, Noah Joseph Ensley, age 15, passed away on Sunday, March 27, 2022, also at Mission Hospital.
These brothers were loving sons, grandsons, nephews, cousins and friends who loved each other fiercely. They were lifelong residents of Jackson County. They were both members of the Allens Creek Baptist Church in Waynesville.
Bridger was a fourth grader at Fairview Elementary School where he was an active member of the Bible Club and the Chess Club. Bridger’s kindergarten teacher, Amber Moss, was instrumental in Bridger’s love of learning. He wanted to learn about everything! Bridger was never at a loss for words and shared his thoughts with humor and wisdom beyond his years. He was a passionate reader and loved math and science, art, and music. He was a true Renaissance Man! Bridger wanted to learn about all sports and played baseball, soccer as well as tennis. Bridger also enjoyed doing CrossFit on the weekends with his mom at Catamount CrossFit. He also loved hunting with his father, grandfather, and brother.
Bridger loved to travel and did not hesitate to submerge himself in any opportunity to ask questions whether it was to the pilot of the airplane or the firefighter in New York. He loved exploring the beach as well as camping with his family. Bridger was known as a leader who took friendship very seriously. Bridger referred to all his classmates in Mrs. Green’s 4th grade class as his friends. If Bridger met you, you were his friend! His most special friend was Phoenix Martin of Whittier. Other special friends include Eli and Elizabeth Crawford and Charlie Gardner.
Noah and Bridger are the sons of Russell and Rebecca Dills Ensley of Sylva. They are also survived by their grandparents, Tom and Lois Ensley of Sylva, Kathy Greene Dills of Sylva, and Randall M Dills of Otto. Also surviving are their aunts and uncles, Tom and Regina Ensley of Shelby; Mike and Arlecie Hoxit of Sylva; Jim and Jan Revis of Sylva; and Randy and Nadine Dills of Sylva; as well as numerous cousins.
A memorial service was held at Allens Creek Baptist Church, 549 Allens Creek Road, Waynesville on Tuesday, April 5 for family and church friends. A community visitation will be held on Thursday, April 21 at Fairview Elementary School auditorium from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Celebration of Life Service will be on Friday, April 22 in the auditorium of Smoky Mountain High School at 6 p.m. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Noah and Bridger Ensley Memorial Scholarship Fund. Noah Ensley was a proud officer and member of the SMHS FFA program and a member of their Hunter Safety Team. He was passionate about welding, hunting, fishing, and farming. Bridger Ensley loved learning and loved to read. These funds will be used to support the FFA Programs at Smoky Mountain High School as well as to support the development of academic opportunities for the students at Fairview School. This account is set up at First Citizens Bank and donations can be made at any First Citizens Branch. (609 West Main Street, Sylva, NC 28779)