Margery Grace Evans Bradford passed away in the early morning of June 13, 2024, with her husband, James Bradford, at her side. Her battle with Alzheimer’s disease finally ended after nearly 20 years. The glimmer of her vibrant personality never faded through the years and remained until the end.
A memorial service for Mardy will be held at 2:00PM on October 18, 2024 at the First Baptist Church in Brownwood. A short graveside service will be held following the service at the church at Greenleaf Cemetery.
The daughter of Margery and William S. Evans, Mardy grew up in Brownwood where she attended elementary school and high school. She participated in Future Farmers of America and sang in the high school choir. A graduate of Baylor University, she married James Bradford in 1961.
They moved from Dallas to Mountaintop, Pennsylvania in 1966, where they enjoyed many wonderful years raising their family. And, in 1979, they moved to Lewiston, Idaho. As was her nature, Mardy immediately found herself in leadership roles in the PTA and engaged in many activities at the local schools. Mardy was always happy wherever she lived and volunteered for dozens of non-profit organizations.
In 1984, Mardy and Butch Alford, owner of the Lewiston Tribune newspaper, set about creating the Lewiston Independent Foundation for Education. With the help of community leaders, the foundation has funded countless programs and college scholarships for students of all ages along with resources to support the staff and faculty at all Lewiston schools. It was one of her proudest and most meaningful achievements. With a track record spanning 40 years, the foundation continues to thrive.
Her last role as an advocate and educator for children was her tenure as director of the Kingdom Kids Preschool at the Presbyterian Church in Clarkston, Washington in the 1990’s and early 2000’s. She poured herself into teaching and spent countless hours outside the classroom preparing projects to keep her students engaged in the joy of learning. She retired in 2003 at the age of 65. Nothing thrilled her more than to hear how well her former students were doing in school after graduating from her program.
Mardy is survived by Jim Bradford, Sr., and their adoring children Ann, Amy, and Jim, Jr. Her grandchildren River Patterson, Avery Patterson, Mark Henderson, Lucas Bradford, and Jacob Bradford will forever be blessed by her loving kindness and generous spirit.
