Louise P Bradley

Louise Arlington Patton Bradley, age 92, went to see the Lord on the 29th of January 2011. She was born in Montgomery, Alabama on the 8th of July 1918. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Columbus, Mississippi, a home that brought her many wonderful memories. Louise was well-known throughout Columbus, where, in high school, she was the first “Sweetheart of the Chesterfield Club.” Working her way through college, she graduated from Mississippi State College for Women with honors. Louise first met her future husband, Richard “Dick” Bradley, in high school. They dated through college and married the week before Dick departed for World War II. Always the eternal optimist, Louise knew Dick would return safely from the most dangerous places in Europe. Although badly wounded several times, he made it home and they remained happily married for more than 60 years.

Louise and Dick settled in Monroe, Louisiana after the war, where their two daughters, Anne and Jane Tucker were born. In 1954, they made Houston their permanent home. Louise became a founding member of St. Philip Presbyterian Church, where she was an active member, serving as both a deacon and elder and establishing the church’s first library. She also started and ran a community library at San Felipe Courts housing project, later known as Allen Parkway Village, serving the many underprivileged residents and their children.

A beloved friend to so many, Louise was a masterful hostess who enjoyed entertaining large groups of friends and family throughout her many happy years in Houston. An avid Bridge player, she was a Life Master, a gourmet cook, a world traveler and an enthusiastic adventurer.

She is survived by her daughter, Jane Tucker Bradley; grandchildren, Katie O’Neill (Clark) and her husband, John, Richard Bradley O’Neill, Chester Bradley Gomez, Elizabeth Anne Gomez, William Maxfield Gomez, and Molly Teater Gomez; and three great-grandchildren, Anne Louise Clark, Caroline Clark, and Katherine Clark. She is also survived by her son-in-law, John O'Neill, who was like a son to her. She is preceded in death by her parents, the late Blanche Emery and Leroy Parker; her husband, Richard Lee Bradley, Jr.; and her daughter Anne Patton Bradley (O’Neill).

A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 1st of February, at St. Philip Presbyterian Church, 4807 San Felipe in Houston, where Rev. Kristy Forbes Vits is to officiate.

Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston.