| Notes |
- MORRISTOWN — Mrs. Annie Inez (Fletcher) Bradley, the 2nd child of the late Henry and Belva (Cardwell) Fletcher, passed peacefully into her eternal rest at the Heritage Center Nursing Care, Morristown, TN, on Sunday, March 6, 2016, at the age of 92.
She and her late husband, James Howard Bradley, had made their home in the Little Dry Run community of Johnson County for 70 years. As health issues became significant, she moved into assisted living or nursing home, as was required, always taking the collage of her family with her which she shared with her visitors.
Mrs. Bradley was affiliated with Midway Baptist Church for a number of years before moving her membership to Dyson Grove Baptist Church. Mrs. Bradley was a woman of great faith. Many have rejoiced with her over the years as she shared the times God had specifically met a need that had been bathed in prayer day after day. In the late 1930's, 1940's and the 1950's, there was little "wealth" in the household. However, there were few needs that were unmet, as her children will testify today. She continued faithfully attending church, singing in the choir and teaching Vacation Bible School year after year, working diligently at home to share her faith with her children as well as her neighbors.
Many people in her community have benefited from her generosity as she shared produce directly from her garden and from her cellar and freezer as well, as she saw needs that she could meet. Her family members have proudly worn garments made or mended by her skilled fingers. Grandchildren have snuggled under her beautifully stitched quilts. Several have had the privilege of receiving their own personal full-size quilt at bridal showers to share with their new spouses! By Mrs. Bradley's own count, she made and gifted over 90 quilts in her lifetime! Many have enjoyed using her crocheted doilies, a skill that she learned from her husband who watched his mother when he was only a child.
Every grandchild was lovingly rocked and enjoyed her home-cooking over the years. She was a great cook! Many a workman who shared the tobacco planting and harvesting, the hay mowing, raking and baling, the wheat or corn harvest with Mr. Bradley, enjoyed the bounty of her table when they came in for lunch. Mrs. Bradley always remembered someone's favorite dish and took time to prepare it, just because she knew they liked it! Hundreds of babies were welcomed into the community following a baby shower for which she prepared a special dish. Likewise, hundreds of grieving families partook of meals served by the church family, of which she was a part. Often in the years of her "empty nest", she would prepare a dish or a meal for an older person whose spouse has passed away, simply because she felt they would enjoy and benefit from a "home-cooked" hot meal.
Mrs. Bradley did not slow down much as a "retirement age" came around; rather, she continually looked for opportunities to minister to her neighbors with her culinary skills. She also enjoyed raising a variety of flowers and having a nicely-decorated home. One acquaintance described the Bradley home and farm as the place on Little Dry Run that looked like it had been manicured: flowers blooming spring and summer, bushes trimmed, buildings painted and fence-rows clean! What a tribute to a hard-working couple who enjoyed the land and possessions with which God had blessed their lives! Mrs. Bradley enjoyed people! This led her to volunteer at the Johnson County Hospital during those "empty nest" years. She enjoyed the fellowship with patients and staff as she ministered there. Undoubtedly, many names were added to her prayer list as she encountered sick folks and their families.
Five children were born to the Bradley household and presently survive: Emma Stout and husband Dean of Midland, GA, Kyle Wayne "Jack" Bradley and wife Joyce of Butler, TN, Margie Guthrie and husband Roy of Morristown, TN, Wanda Zahrt and husband David of Winamac, IN and John Bradley "JD" and wife Gail of Elizabethton, TN; surviving grandchildren are Dean Stout and wife Dana, Tim Bradley and wife Ladonna, Jeff Stout and wife Susan, Lee Ann Wright and husband Steve, Brad Guthrie and wife Andrea "Andi", Jason Guthrie and wife Charity, Janeen Pennell and husband Travis and Lauren Bradley; 5 great grandchildren; two sisters: Winnie Phillips of Butler, TN and MaryLee Potter of Kingsport, TN.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Bradley was predeceased by an infant daughter, who passed March 1945, Mary Evelyn; four brothers and two sisters.
The family of Annie Inez Bradley will receive friends and share memories to honor a life well lived on Thursday, March 10, 2016 at the Mountain City Funeral Home Chapel from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Funeral Service will follow with Mrs. Bradley's nephew, Rev. Leonard Fletcher officiating. Special music will be provided by Allan Yates.
Graveside service and interment will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 11, 2016 at the Rock Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers are Timothy Bradley, Christopher Bradley, Bradley Guthrie, Jason Guthrie, Larry Grindstaff and Junior Potter. Honorary pallbearers are Dean Stout, Jeffery Stout and Travis Pennell.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that friends honor Mrs. Bradley by making donations to the Gideons International, PO Box 155, Mountain City, TN 37683 or Dyson Grove Baptist Church, 8693 Roan Creek Road, Butler, TN 37640.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. John Short and the Regency Retirement Village staff and to Dr. David Johnson and the Heritage Nursing Center staff.
At other times, the family will receive friends at the home of her son, Wayne "Jack".
|
Abt 1924 - 2016 (~ 92 years)
