Sylvia Bradford Blau

She leaves behind a loving legacy through her daughters, Leticia Bradford Mohamed, and Natalie Bradford; son, Christopher Bradford; granddaughter, Chloreesa Bradford and grandson, Alexander James Spillman; Sisters, Delilah Drye and Vanessa Goodloe; and her brother, Gerald King. She also was the Stepmother to Joe Bradford Jr and April Bradford Walker (Darren).

She was the beloved aunt, cousin, and friend to many.

Sylvia was born March 13, 1953, in Jeffersonville, Indiana to Thomas and Elnora King. At an early age she learned to crochet, sew, and quilt. As her formative years were shaped, she grew to love music, learning the piano, saxophone, and guitar while in high school and she would carry that love throughout her life. She graduated from Jeffersonville High School in 1971 majoring in home economics and would continue her education by taking various courses in medicine and pharmacology.

Never wanting to be a small-town girl all her life, she moved on her own to Louisville, Ky at the age of 18 where she met and married Joe Bradford. During their over 20-year union they would go to have three children together and Sylvia became the stepmother to her then husband’s two other children. She was a dutiful home maker who took pride in caring for her children, even making them original outfits that she designed. She always encouraged her children to seek out education and encouraged them to explore their talents.

She worked at Bellsouth as a Customer Service Representative until her early retirement due to Illness. She volunteered as a Girl Scout troop leader, Hospital candy striper and assisted others who were fighting illness.

Her love for travel took her to various lands throughout the United States. She would live briefly in Wisconsin, Washington, and California.

She became an accomplished artist finding immense pleasure in painting, drawing, and sketching. She often would make art for her loved ones and give them as gifts. Never afraid to start something new, she began rapping in her 70s under the name “Silky Shine.”

Sylvia’s life was a testament to her deep love for God, devotion to family and heartfelt compassion for people.

She battled illness for years; many times, the doctors told her that there was no more time left. She defied them for 40 years until her body could not fight any longer. She loved being a grandmother and was so grateful that God gave her the time to see them be born. Beneath her strength was a heart full of tenderness, especially towards her family. Her kindness to others, including animals was remarkable.

She never met a stranger and loved long talks and coffee.

Most of all, she was a child of God unwavering in her faith, always having a bible nearby within arm’s length.

She accomplished one of her last goals, which was to become an ordained minister just a few months before her passing.

A visitation for Sylvia will be held Sunday, July 20, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Arch L. Heady at Resthaven, 4400 Bardstown Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40218. A funeral service will occur Monday, July 21, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Arch L. Heady at Resthaven.