Alice D. Bradford Mama Alice

Alice Durrett Bradford, longtime resident of Sea Island, GA, died in peace at the age of 87 on Sunday, April 5. She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Joe H. Bradford, Jr. She is the daughter of the late Robert Rogers Durrett of Macon, GA, and the late Helen Haag Hayes of Gibsonton, FL.

Alice is also survived by two daughters and a son, Jodie Durrett Moerman (and husband Paul), MaryAlice “ Cissy” Wallace (and husband Bill) of Signal Mountain, TN, and Brad Bradford (and wife Susan) of Southlake, TX. The extended family includes eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. In addition, she is survived by her sister, Dr. Nina D. Childs, of Gray, GA, and sister-in-law, Annette Rigdon Swan of Tifton, GA, along with several nieces and nephews.

She was born in Macon, GA, on January 28, 1928, where she spent her childhood. She attended Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, GA, where she met her future husband Joe, who was attending Georgia Military College. After marrying, the two moved to Athens, GA, transferring to the University of Georgia. There, they had their first daughter. Following graduation, they moved to Macon, GA, for a short period and had a second daughter. They then moved to St. Simons Island, having a son and settling down in the Golden Isles for the remainder of her life. They built a home on Sea Island in 1980.

Due to her love for children, Alice started Alice’s Wonderland Kindergarten in 1956. As owner and director for 35 years, she helped to shape the lives of many of St. Simons’ future generations. She and Joe expanded the kindergarten to include day care facilities in both St. Simons and Brunswick.

Active in community organizations throughout the Golden Isles, Alice served on several Boards and chaired numerous fundraising events. She was a charter member of the local Daughters of the America Revolution (DAR) chapter, also helping to organize the local Children of the America Revolution (CAR) chapter. She was honored by the DAR with a special 50-year certificate for her dedication to the national organization.

She was a longtime Board member of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Glynn County). To honor her, CASA presents the Alice D. Bradford Award to its volunteer of the year. She was a charter member of the St. Simons Island Cotillion. She was involved with the Katz-Whittle Foundation, Cassina Garden Club, Sea Island Property Owners Association, Skimmers Club of Sea Island and Friends of the Library of Brunswick where she started the Table of Contents which is in its 28th year.

She was active with Christ Episcopal Church for more than 50 years, where she was involved in and chaired the Charles Wesley Guild, Martha’s Guild, Episcopal Church Women and the annual Tour of Homes & Garden. She also served as a Sunday school teacher and helped to establish the church’s annual Vacation Bible School.

In addition to her volunteer efforts, she loved playing bridge, traveling, dancing, reading, and helping out with her own children’s activities. She was involved in the PTA and assisted as a room mom at the local schools, plus was a scout leader for both the Girls and Cub Scouts.

A visitation will take place at Edo Miller Funeral Home 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Friday April 10. . The funeral service will be held at Christ Church Frederica on St. Simons Island on Saturday, April 11, at 3 p.m. with graveside services to follow in Christ Church Frederica Cemetery, with Hampton and Will Bradford, Paul Moerman Jr., Geoffrey Davis, Brewer McCarty, Nicholas Miller and Peter Perdomo serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren and all the students who attended Alice's Wonderland through the years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given to CASA of Glynn in Alice’s name. P.O. Box 145 Brunswick, Ga., 31521.

Arrangements are under the directions of Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home, www.edomillerandsons.com