Thelma was born on February 10, 1923, to Herbert Steffens and Madaline Fish in Pryor, Oklahoma. She was the oldest of their 4 children and lent a helpful hand to her mother in raising her 3 brothers. She was working at a restaurant in Pryor in 1942 when she met James Bradley, a newly enlisted soldier stationed at Ft. Sill. They kept in touch during James’ overseas service in WWII and were married on January 3, 1946.
Thelma accompanied Jim to posts in Germany, Texas, Kansas, Virginia, and Arkansas during his 20-year career. Jim retired as a Sergeant Major in 1962 and they settled in the home they built in Jenny Lind, where Thelma remained until 2022, when she moved to Brookfield Assisted Living just before her 100th birthday. She retired from Civil Service at Ft. Chaffee in 1986, and James passed away that same year.
Thelma was an avid and talented oil painter, was known to have a magic touch growing African Violets, and she is remembered by many at First Baptist Church of Jenny Lind as a dedicated Sunday school teacher.
Thelma is survived by her daughter, Linda Ware (Byron), granddaughters, Christina Galloway (Chris) and Angie Epker (Justin) and great-grandchildren, Ashley Jahnsen (Joe), Caleb Galloway (Jessica) and Abigail Epker.
Funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, January 17 at First Baptist Church of Jenny Lind with burial at the U.S. National Cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to First Baptist Church of Jenny Lind, 1910 Gate Nine Road, Greenwood, AR 72936 in honor of Thelma Bradley.
