Mary Helen (Bender) Bradney

Mary Helen Bender Bradney, 95, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, departed this earthly life to be with her sweet Jesus on January 7, 2022. She was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas on March 28, 1926. Helen lived an adventurous and faith-filled life and was accompanied in her dying surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Wilson Shannon Bradney Jr. Helen was a proud graduate of St. Anne’s Academy, Class of 1944. She was a devout Catholic and spent much of her life serving others in her church, her family, and in her community.

Mary Helen was the matriarch, heart, soul and sustainer of her beautiful large family. Not only was she a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and soon to be great-great-grandmother, she was also a fearless world traveler and avid Arkansas Razorback fan. She retired from First America bank where she not only was the Director of Human Resources, but also was named a Vice-President.

She will be remembered as always taking time to love and enjoy life. On warm sunny days she could always be found on her patio where she loved to sit, listening to the chirping of birds and soaking in the beauty of her flower garden.

Helen is survived by her sister, Mitzi (Tom) Bardrick of Fort Smith, seven children: Cindy Shaw (Cody) of Springdale, Mary Jean Black (Gary) of Fort Smith, Shannon Bradney (Gail) of Fort Smith, Dan Bradney (Linda) of Bella Vista, Bill Bradney (Crystal) of Van Buren, Patty Grubbs and Anne Hall (Vic) of Fort Smith; fourteen grandchildren: Christy (David) Koprovic, Dr. Kyle (Danielle) Shaw, Kara (Kevin) Rowe, Kimberly Willson, Scott (Rikki) Black, Rory (Molly) Bradney, Dr Laura Bradney-Belknap (Jeremy), Brandan (Alli-son) Bradney, Brent (Jennifer) Bradney, Dustin (Heather) Blackwood, Sophie Bradney, Jennifer Lemley (Scott Hale), Brent (Jennifer) Hall, and Mark (Cristen) Hall; thirty-two great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Wilson Shannon Bradney Jr, her parents Louis and Frances Bender, her brothers, Louis, Eugene, Bob and James Bender, and granddaughter, Rebecca Shaw.

Visitation will be held Monday, January 10, from 6-7 p.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church, with a rosary to follow at 7 p.m.

Her Funeral Mass will be held at St. Boniface Catholic Church on Tuesday January 11th, at 10:30. Interment will be at Fort Smith National Cemetery at 12 noon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Meals-On-Wheels, AAA of Western Arkansas, P.O. Box 1724, Fort Smith, AR 72902, St. Boniface Catholic Church, 1820 N. B St., Fort Smith, AR 72901 or a charity of your choice.