ed’s Life Story

Theopolis Edward Briddell, at age 103, was called Home to Glory by our

Heavenly Father, on Thanksgiving Day morning, November 27, 2025, surrounded

by his loving family. Theopolis, affectionately called “Ted”

, was born on

December 19, 1921, in Newark, Maryland to Horace Briddell and Louise Tindley

of Newark, Maryland. Ted lived with his paternal grandparents, Isaac and Laura

Briddell, until his grandmother’s death. He was then raised by Robert and Louise

Harris in Chester, PA and was educated in the Chester Public School system.

Following graduation from high school, Ted was inducted into the US Army Air

Corps on Sept. 4, 1942. His Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was Telephone

& Telegraph Lineman. He served during World War II in the Pacific Theater

(Guam). Among his medals, Ted was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Campaign

Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal W/1 Bronze Star, and

the World War II Victory Medal. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Ted was

honorably discharged in January 1946 and returned to Philadelphia where he took a

position with the US Postal Service. It was during this time in the early 1950s that

Ted met the “love of my life”

, Elayne Micomonaco. He ultimately converted to

Catholicism and they later married and together raised three children. The family

worshiped at St. Frances de Sales Parish in West Philadelphia. Ted and Elayne

moved the family to Camden in 1967 and became parishioners of St. Bartholomew

Roman Catholic Church.

After leaving government work, Ted joined a PA based company that staffed

and managed parking structures in the Metro Philadelphia area. He became a

manager and continued working in Philadelphia and South Jersey until he retired in

the late 1970s. After a short stint as a retiree, Ted decided to go back to work and

joined Safety Bus in Pennsauken where he worked as a charter bus driver until his

retirement in 2013. Ted ranked the loves of his life as God, Family, Country, and

Safety Bus. He loved his job, he loved driving all the varieties of buses at Safety,

and he loved traveling over the road. Over the years Ted drove many bus trips for

St. Bart’s and other area churches and local organizations. Ted’s favorite pastime

was bowling at Baker Lanes, Pinsetters Bowl & Grill, and many of the other area

bowling alleys. He also enjoyed fishing. Ted concluded a life of work and service

in late 2013 when he and Elayne decided it was time to retire and take care of each

other.

On October 10, 2019, Elayne was called Home to Glory. Ted moved in with

his daughter and her family and would spend the next six years watching his

westerns, rooting for his Phillies, listening to his music, painting on canvas,

coloring in his coloring books, enjoying the warm weather in the backyard and

spending time with family. Ted enjoyed discussing life and his wartime service

with his late son-in-law, Vietnam War veteran John “JC” Horton, Sr., while Grant

Green’s “Idle Moments” played in the background. Ted is also predeceased by

father Horace, mother, Louise, stepmother Catherine (nee Chambers), wife Elayne

(nee Micomonaco), and son-in-law JC. He is survived by his son Nashid M. El,

daughter Dawnn, son Eric (Wanda), grandsons Nashid Ibn (Steffani), Eric II, John

Horton, Jr., great grandsons Nashid Bin, Micah Timothy, great granddaughter

Sienna Vay, special family friends Cathy Glasmyre and Dorothy Means, and a host

of extended family and close friends.

Ted will be remembered for his Love for Jesus, warm greetings, memorable

hugs, unforgettable laugh, and an inspirational, humble and quiet spirit. He loved

his family. He enjoyed his daily sermons and nighttime prayers. He did not take

anything for granted, considered his life and family wonderful gifts and an endless

series of blessings, and remained grateful for his many blessings and longevity

until his last day. Ted will be dearly missed.

Lovingly Submitted,

The Fami