Virginia Lou Bradley, age 89, of Fresno, California, passed away Monday, September 17, 2018, at the Maple Tree Care Home, after an extended illness. “Lou” was the daughter of the late Jerry and Rosa Lee. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 43 years, JW Bradley, her daughter Barbara Bolt and her companion of the last 14 years, Harold “Steve” Gillott. She is survived by two daughters, Twila Smith and husband, Hugh, of Yuba City, CA, and Brenda Naranjo and her husband, Jess, of Fresno, CA, and one son Jerry Bradley and his wife, Karen, of Turlock, CA; eight grandchildren, Kimberly Levy, Todd Smith, Danielle Williams, Meredith Earley, Lori Miller, Lindsey Lynch, Corey Bradley and Mandy Gonsalves; eighteen great-grandchildren. Lou and JW were married in Oklahoma and then moved to California where they raised their four children. Lou was a busy homemaker and involved with children and school activities. After the children were raised she and JW moved back to Oklahoma and they could be found most evenings riding in his pickup looking after their cattle and watching the sun go down. They moved back to Modesto, California and shortly after JW passed away. Lou busied herself managing Mobile Home Parks until she retired and settled in Fresno, California. She loved listening and dancing to the music at the American Legion Post 509 in Fresno, California, with Steve. She was a member of the Madera Ranchos Senior Center. She was involved in many activities at the center and Christmas time with their bazaar, she made her famous chili pepper jelly. One of her pastimes was visiting the casinos, playing the slot machines and bingo. She also loved her elephant collection which she started as a young child. She could tell you about all of them which numbered over a thousand and a lot of time be wearing a piece of elephant jewelry or piece of clothing with an elephant picture. The family is going to miss her greatly and thankful that the suffering and pain has ended. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday, September 28, 2018 at Lakewood Funeral Home – Riverside Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at the chapel immediately followed by burial at Lakewood Memorial Park.
