Martha Bradford

December 29, 1940- August 23, 2025

Martha joined her precious Lord and Savior Saturday morning, August 23, 2025. She passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her children and loving caregiver and friend, Rose Swann. Martha was born in Greenwood, Mississippi and graduated from Greenwood High School in 1958. She attended Mary Baldwin College where she met John Morgan Bradford of Birmingham. Martha knew immediately that she wanted to date John. She transferred to Ole Miss where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, was presented at the Cotton Carnival in Memphis, Tennessee, and was a Southern Debutante. Martha and John married in 1961 and she graduated shortly afterwards from Birmingham-Southern College. Martha enjoyed being active in the Birmingham community and joined the Junior League of Birmingham, the Valley Off Shoots Garden Club, the Muses and Gaieties Dance Club, and the Country Club of Birmingham. She was a charter member of the Ballet Guild of Birmingham. Martha never met a stranger and loved her bridge groups, tennis teams and bible studies. She was a longtime member of Mountain Brook Community Church. While in this world, she had a love of gardening, arranging flowers and tennis. She and John had a passionate love for the Lord and pursued Him faithfully by their commitment to Young Life and Dallas Theological Seminary. She and John enjoyed discipling and sharing God’s love through opening their home weekly to the next generation. Her wit and keen sense of humor will be missed by everyone who knew Martha. She had a great love in her heart for her family and friends.

Martha was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 49 years, John Bradford. Later in life, Martha enjoyed her wonderful love and zest for life with Jack Powers, who passed away the summer of 2024. She is survived by her daughter, Martha Wade Bradford, and son, George Wade Bradford (Lois), her sister, Ann Wade Litton (Bill), of Greenwood, Mississippi. She had many beloved grandchildren-Kennan Salisbury (Ryan), John Bradford (Ellen), Mary Johnson Bradford, Anne Coleman Hufham (Luke), Bradford Roberts, Mallie Bradford, Wade Roberts, and Katherine Bradford. Also, three precious great-granddaughters, Eleanor, Anna June and Baskin. The family would like to express our deepest appreciation to Martha’s loving and compassionate caregivers over the years- Rose Swann, Frederica Patrick and Charise Boyd.

A family-only graveside service will take place on Friday, September 12, 2025 with a Celebration of Life service at Mountain Brook Community Church at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Young Life Ministries, Dallas Theological Seminary or Mountain Brook Community Church.