Susan Elaine Bradford was welcomed into this world by her cherished parents, William Taylor Bradford and Elizabeth “Elaine” Clark Bradford on August 18, 1948 in Temple, Texas. She returned to the arms of Our Heavenly Father on January 3, 2021.
Sue's greatest loves were the arts and children. A recipient of the Nordon Scholarship, she earned her degree in Voice and Music Education from Texas Christian University and moved to New York City where she was lucky enough to find a rent-controlled apartment at the Ansonia. She sang lead Soprano at St. Paul's Cathedral and worked as an assistant for Meryll Lynch. In the summers, she performed at summer stock on the Cape. After the passing of her father, Sue left New York City and moved to Nashville, Tennessee where she helped develop a groundbreaking program for adults with special needs: teaching them the skills they needed to live life as independently as possible. Afterwards, she worked for the Muscular Dystrophy Association rising to become their first female regional director, with territories spanning from Florida to Georgia to the Virgin Islands. She was a director at the Edna Gladney Center in Fort Worth, helped open and expand the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, and retired as the Executive Director of Advancement from the University of St. Thomas in Houston. In December of 2020, Sue was awarded the Marianne Ivany Heart for the Arts award for all of the hard work she did on behalf of the Performing Arts program at the University of St. Thomas.
Never tiring of learning, Sue could always be found with a biography or historical tome in her oversized purse. She studied the presidents, royalty, Texas and US History, and Biblical History with an intense joy and fascination. With an eloquence of words and an all-encompassing knowledge of many subjects, Sue could speak with anyone on any topic, regardless if they were a woman going through Chemo in the room next to her or the First Lady of the United States. She adored being around people and they loved being around her. She rarely splurged on herself, but if there was even a hint of someone in need, she never hesitated to discover what she could do to do to help them. Her heart and soul was one of pure love and kindness and she lived with the Grace of God in her heart.
Even a diagnosis of Stage IV Breast Cancer in 2011 could not waiver her spirits. Cancer did not define her; it only made her stronger. She met each victory with a prayer of thanks to God and each setback with courage and tenacity. She was enterally grateful for the wonderful nurses and doctors at Methodist Hospital in the Medical Center, praising them constantly for their tireless efforts to help her in her battle and with uplifting her spirits in prayer.
Above all things, only seconded for her love of our Savior, Sue adored her family. The youngest of five children, she is survived by her beloved brothers: William Edward Bradford (Dallas, Texas); Jack Taylor Bradford, Sr. (Alice, Texas); and James Clark Bradford (Seguin, Texas). She was met at the gates of heaven and into the arms of her adored sister, Elizabeth Taylor Brown, her cherished niece, Amy Elizabeth Brown, and her parents.
The memory of her spectacular spirit and gentle nature will be forever kept close in the hearts of her daughter, Jenna Hope Bradford, and her nieces and nephews: William Bradford (Willis, Texas), Kathleen Powell (Dallas, Texas), Jon Bradford (Edna, Texas); Benjamin Brown (Anchorage, Alaska); Bradford L. Brown (Norfolk, Virginia); Jason Clark Bradford (New Braunfels, Texas); Jeanae Hall (Katy, Texas); Ashley Wysocki (Dallas, Texas); Jack Taylor Bradford, Jr. (Alice, Texas); and Elaine Sue Bradford (Houston, Texas) and their many children, grandchildren and pets.
Although Sue loved flowers and every beauty nature provides us, she valued education more. So, in her honor, a scholarship fund will be set up for the Center of the Performing Arts at the University of St. Thomas in Houston.
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