Maxine Thompson Bradford, age 88, of Dallas, Texas, passed away Thursday, June 24, 2021. She was born on August 29, 1932, in the farming community of Schattel, just south of Bigfoot in Frio County. Maxine graduated from Devine High School and earned a BA in elementary education from Baylor University. She went on to teach second grade in Pleasanton, Texas, but spent the majority of her career teaching first grade at Nancy Moseley Elementary School in Dallas ISD. Growing up on a farm, Maxine was industrious in all she did – from clubs and organizations in high school and college to garden clubs, bridge, and PTA while raising a family – her greatest joy.
The years on the farm shaped the values by which Maxine lived. As she would say – “We made do with what we had.” Maxine often told stories of how they had a “wash day and an ironing day” every week; no running water or electricity until she was 16; and how they had a “hog day” once a year – saying “We ate everything but the squeal.” Besides helping on the farm, Maxine taught herself how to crochet, knit, tatt and embroidery. She also collected stamps, wrote to movie stars and kept up with the latest trends through catalogues. In fact, she would tell how her mother ordered two-dozen baby chicks every year from the Sears and Roebuck catalogue for eggs and an occasional “dinner.”
Maxine used those farm skills in raising her children, Cindy and Christy – volunteering, sewing and driving her daughters to numerous activities from dancing to drill team to music lessons. She loved hearing about the adventures of Cindy and Christy, and then later in life, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren - all of whom she was so proud. Through the years, Maxine remained sharp as a tack - reading the newspaper and the funnies every day, watching her programs and telling stories to everyone she met – all while drinking her favorite diet soft drink - Tab.
Maxine is preceded in death by her parents, Crockett Shoatt and Katie Orsak Thompson. She is survived by her daughters Cindy Bradford Coleman and husband David; Christy Bradford Burr and husband Steven. She was known and beloved as “Bapa” to her grandchildren Caroline, Crockett, Bradford, and Seiler Burr, Bayly Burr Richardson and husband Gary and their children Haddon, Sawyer and Sutton (Maxine’s great-granddaughters). Maxine is also survived by her sister, Evelyn Thompson Lindsey, of Jourdanton, Texas, nephews Curtis Lindsey, Jr., George Lindsey and wife Ann, niece Lynette Lindsey Hudson and husband Elmer and several
great-nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Dallas Education Foundation at https://futureofdallas.org/
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