Ernestine Bradley

Ernestine Stephenson Bradley, age 95, departed this life to join the heavenly choir Thursday, July 11, 2013, at Jonesboro, Arkansas. Ernestine was born October 13, 1917, in the Miller’s Chapel community in Dyer county Tennessee to the late John Ernest and Margaret Elizabeth (Miller) Stephenson. She lived near Kenton, Tennessee for 43 years before relocating to Jonesboro, Arkansas in 1997. She grew up in a close-knit farm family having a strong moral and work ethic where her daddy always taught that “a man’s word is his bond.” Ernestine graduated with honors from her 1936 high school class where she excelled in math, science and history. Mrs. Bradley was a diligent homemaker, a retiree of Brown Shoe Company, who later worked in the Obion County (TN) school system. She enjoyed traveling, reading, cooking, sewing, gardening, and playing cards, and board games, but most of all, being with family and friends. Her love of family history launched her 30-year annual tradition of decorating the graves of several ancestral generations dating back to the Revolutionary War period. She continued this cherished tradition until recent failing health prevented travel. Her beloved “cemetery trek” involved an annual two-day journey of placing memorial flowers and flags at the burial sites of many loved ones in cemeteries across western Tennessee. A devout Christian and member of the church of Christ for over 80 years, she had taught two generations of children’s Sunday School classes and had formerly served on the Sunday School planning committee. She also served her Lord as a prayer warrior on the “911” prayer chain, sewed for the “Teddy Bear” ministry, and found great satisfaction working in the church’s “jail ministry.” She loved attending worship services and often sent encouraging cards and letters to those who were sick, grieving, or facing difficult times. As she went about her daily routine, she was often heard singing hymns in her beautiful alto voice. Ernestine’s daily Bible readings resulted in her having read the Bible cover-to-cover many times. Ernestine was preceded in death by the love of her life and husband of 40 years, Robert Allen Bradley. She was also predeceased by their son, Robert Conway Bradley; by two brothers and sisters-in-law, Auburn (Emily) Stephenson and Leo (Marie) Stephenson; by sisters-in-law, Martha Bradley Davis and Mary Dean Bradley Hartman; and by brothers-in-law, Ches Davis, Pick Rogers, George Hartman and Bill Norman. She is survived by her daughter and faithful caregiver, Esther Bradley Lane of Jonesboro. Other survivors include grandsons, Ed Lane and Allen Bradley; and granddaughters, Rhonda Cooley and Lisa Jackson; daughter-in-law, Mary Watkins; a sister, Kate Rogers; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Jewell (Bobbie Nell) Stephenson and Ivan (Patricia) Stephenson; sisters-in-law, Ruth Norman and Sue Stephenson. Mrs. Bradley also leaves 11 great-grandchildren, several beloved nephews and nieces, and many cherished friends. Visitation will be at 10AM on Monday, July 15th at the Karnes & Son Funeral Home in Kenton, Tennessee. Services to celebrate Mrs. Bradley’s life will follow immediately at 11 AM Monday. Dr. Jimmy Adcox of Jonesboro will deliver her eulogy. Burial will follow in Kenton’s Sunnyside Cemetery next to her beloved husband, Robert. Pall bearers will be: Jay Cooley, Drew Cooley, Steve Stephenson, Joe Rogers, Barry Stephenson, and Bill Hayes. Lasting memorials may be made by check to the “Miller-Shelton Cemetery Fund” in care of Steve Stephenson, at 16 Burrow Lane, Milan, TN 38358. Maintaining this old family cemetery was always a high priority for Ms. Ernestine and leaving this perpetual care legacy was very important to her. Karnes & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Ernestine Stephenson Bradley.