Mildred NeSmith Bradford, 97, of Hatton passed away Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Lawrence Medical Center in Moulton. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Lawrence Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 26, 2024 at Hatton Church of Christ with Chris Miller and Howell Bigham officiating. Burial will be at Rutherford Cemetery.
Born on October 17, 1926 to the late William and Erline Hollimon NeSmith, Mildred graduated from Hatton High School in 1944 then went to Florence State Teacher’s College (UNA) earning her Bachelors Degree in 1947. She was a member of Hatton Church of Christ having previously attended Wolf Springs Church of Christ. During her son Andy’s two runs for Lawrence County Superintendent of Education, Mildred worked as his campaign manager and also worked during the tornado relief efforts in the Hatton Community in 2011.
An avid Alabama football and basketball fan, Mildred watched many games in person and later on TV. She played Rook in her younger days and played tennis in college. In her later years, she loved to watch game shows and do word searches to keep her mind sharp.
Mildred loved her former students and enjoyed attending reunions over the years as well as going to auctions with her son. Along with her sister-in-law, Vera Rose, they went so many places together, they became know as “Thelma and Louise”. Mildred had a very special auction friend in Shelier Hill, who once threw her a birthday party at the auction. She also took great joy in caring for the donkeys behind her house, often feeding them leftovers out of her hand.
Survivors include her son, Andy Bradford; nephew, Carl Clayton Terry; and extended family.
Mildred was preceded in death by her husband, Gurnia Ray Bradford; parents; sister, Mary Lois Canup; twin brother, Milton NeSmith; and nieces, Mary Helen Horton, and Joyce Ann Ennis.
Pallbearers will be Rodney Bradford, Dexter Rutherford, Marlon Rutherford, Blake Addison, Ronald Thrasher, and Ray Sherrill. Honorary pallbearers are Rob Martin, Mike DiGesu, and William T. NeSmith.
The family extends special thanks to the ER Staff at Lawrence Medical Center in Moulton and all of the nurses and doctors that looked after Mildred.
