Josephine Bradshaw

Josephine Heard Bradshaw 90 died October 9, 2011, in her home at Aldersgate Retirement Community, Meridian, MS.

She was born January 15, 1921, in Indianola to Annie Mae Cooper Heard and William Franklin Heard, III, and reared in Jackson. She was married to John W. J.W. Bradshaw, II, in 1941. They lived briefly in Phoenix, MS, before moving with their young family to Cotton Valley, LA, where she and her husband managed a branch of the familys homefurnishings business. Josephine maintained a busy schedule with church, childrens school and civic activities, and work.

In 1963, Josephine and J.W. returned to Mississippi, first to Jackson, where Josephine worked for Batte Furniture Company, and upon her retirement, to the Bradshaw family farm in Phoenix. She took great pleasure in the restoration of the 160year old Bradshaw farmhouse, involvement in Wesley Chapel Methodist Church, and a range of volunteer activities, especially her work with the Yazoo Historical Society. She also became an intrepid researcher of family historiesher own and others.

Josephine moved with her husband in 1993 to Meridians Aldersgate Retirement Community and a wealth of new friendships, activities, and interests, particularly the weekly music recitals. Toward the end of her life, she delighted greatly in watching her great granddaughter in the recent film, Babies.

She was preceded in death by siblings William Franklin Heard, IV, May Phillips Heard Mayberry, and Robert Pearce Heard of Jackson, MS, Edward Cooper Heard of Reno, NV, and Thomas Melvin Heard of Meridian.

Besides her husband of 69 years, she is survived by her son, John W. Bradshaw, III, his wife, Mary Webb Bradshaw of Montrose, AL, and daughter, Mary Irene Bradshaw of Washington, DC. She is survived also by three grand children: John Frazer Bradshaw and his wife Susie Wise of Oakland, CA, Danner Webb Bradshaw of Joshua Tree, CA, and Benjamin Bradshaw Tolson of Austin, TX, and one great granddaughter Hattie Anne Bradshaw of Oakland.

Nieces and nephews include: Kathleen Heard McNeil formerly of Meridian but now of Madison, MS, Thomas Melvin Heard, Jr, and Michael Thomas Heard of Meridian, Margaret Heard Reihle of Brandon, Evelyn Mayberry McLaurin of Raleigh, William Franklin Heard,V, of Dallas, TX, and Dorothy Heard of Hattiesburg, Cecille Bonney Hintson of Redwood, MS, Mary Adcock Hynum, of Jackson, Margaret Adcock Montgomery of Crystal Springs, and Edward Adcock of Denton, TX..

Surviving cousins include Billie Jo Medders, of Bakersfield, CA, Roberta Dayton, of Seattle, WA, and Mel Cooper, of Bradenton, FL.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 16, at 2:00 PM at Aldersgate Retirement Community, 6600 Poplar Springs Drive, Meridian, MS, 39305. Visitation will follow.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Mississippi Senior Services Sunday Fund, a fund for elders who have outlived their financial resources MSS Sunday Fund, Aldersgate Retirement Community, 6600 Poplar Springs Drive, Meridian. MS, 39305 or the charity of your choice.

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