Emily F. Bradshaw
FRANKLIN—Emily Freda Wilkins Bradshaw passed away on Monday, April 26, 2010. Born August 3, 1921 in Isle of Wight County and reared in the Windsor area, she was the daughter of the late Willie Lee and Selma Butler Wilkins.
Freda was a 1940 graduate of Windsor High School and enjoyed their annual class reunions.
She met her husband, Junius in 1943 while nursing at the Raiford Memorial Hospital in Franklin. They had recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with family, friends and church family.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons and their wives: Gerald and Theresa Bradshaw of Gloucester Point and the Rev. Steve and Jan Bradshaw of Appomattox; five grandchildren, Darnelle Carr (Ricky) of Carrsville, Russ Bradshaw (Stacey) of Virginia Beach, Josh, Bryce and Hannah Bradshaw of Appomattox; and two great grandchildren, Lexi and Colt Bradshaw. She is also survived by a niece, Carolyn Harrup; and nephews, Williams Earl Wilkins and Freddie Wilkins. She was preceded in death by her siblings, William Wilkins, Richard Wilkins, Fred Wilkins, Reeves Brock and Selma Wilkins.
She was a dedicated Christian and lifelong member of Colosse Baptist Church in Windsor where she was an active as a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, a choir member and a member of the Willing Workers and Kann Circles of the Women’s Missionary Union. In 2001, she became a member of Tucker Swamp Baptist Church in Zuni and of the Harold West Adult Sunday School Class and active in their Senior Adult ministry.
She was an avid cook, fond of cats, loved the winter fresh snow, and was an accomplished player of the harmonica. She will be remembered for her sweet smile through all circumstances.
A public viewing will be held at Tucker Swamp Baptist Church on Tuesday, April 27 from 6-7 p.m. A celebration of her life will be led by the Rev. Bill Dawson and the Rev. Fred Braswell from 7-8 that evening. A family visitation will follow in the church’s Family Life Center. A burial service will take place at Colosse Baptist Church Cemetery led by Rev. Bill Dawson and Rev. Tim Webb on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 11 a.m. The family will receive friends immediately following at the home of Carolyn Harrup and William Earl Wilkins at 48 Church St., Windsor.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to Tucker Swamp Baptist Church Building Fund or to the church’s Benevolence Fund to assist International Paper Employees affected by the mill closure, 37527 Seacock Chapel Rd., Zuni, VA 23898. J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral, Purviance Chapel in Wakefield, is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be posted at www.jtmorriss.com.