2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Thursday night a family crossed the Alabama line for the first time without their daughter. She was 13 and all limbs with blonde hair made curly by chemotherapy and a smile so sweet it made cotton candy jealous. When she opened her mouth it was biscuits and jelly, Auburn sunsets, Sundrop and Saturday afternoons at the river. She was beautiful and smart and funny and beloved. A twin who loved and was loved by her sister. If you saw her you might not even notice the scar on her knee, but you would remember the light that seemingly poured out of her. She excelled in the classroom, on the field, on the court and was a star to everyone that met her. Cancer couldn’t dim any of that and it certainly couldn’t define her. She was an athlete and battled back after surgery, never giving up hope that she would return to play all the sports she loved. That determination paid off and she was once again back out there with her sister and friends. She was humble about her abilities but confident about her future. On Thursday night she rounded the bases and slid into “home”, into the arms of a Savior who was waiting for her and family that had gone on before her. This wasn’t the end for sweet Jessi, but a beautiful beginning. ~ Tiffany Watkins
Jessi Leigh Bradford, 13, of Elkmont, Alabama sadly left us on August 3, 2023, at 5:36pm following a brave fight with Osteosarcoma. She is survived by her parents, Bert and Julie Bradford, her precious twin sister Julia Nell Bradford, her grandparents, Jerry and Judy Bradford and Eddie and Nancy Raiden. She was also dearly loved by aunts, uncles, cousins and countless sweet friends.
Friendship
Friendship is a silver cup,
Of exquisite design.
With reverence I treasure it,
And awe to think it mine.
From springs of clearest gratitude,
I fill it bit by bit.
Hoping that on some future noon,
You’ll turn to drink from it.
~Jack Standifer (Jessi’s great uncle)
Celebration of Life Service
August 12, 2023 at 11am
Central Church of Christ
Athens, Alabama
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to one of the following:
Dr Stephen Cantrell: NeoPlas Innovation, 2001 Mallory Lane, Suite 103, Franklin TN 37067
Elkmont Athletics: Elkmont High School, 25630 Evans Avenue, Elkmont AL 35620
