Lula A. Bradshaw

Lu Ann gave her heart to Jesus at age 9 in a revival service at McConnell Baptist Church, and for the next nearly 80 years she lived a life of unshakeable faith in God and unwavering devotion to her family, friends, and church community.

On May 30th, 1957, she married Alan James Bradshaw and they began their 38 years of Christian ministry together. They served initially with Campus Crusade for Christ in California, then with a ranch ministry in Texas. After this, they spent 5 years in their first pastorate in Eatonton, Georgia, and finally they were called to Tampa, Florida, where they spent nearly 30 years ministering to the people of Hillsdale Baptist Church. During all of this time, Lu Ann served faithfully in women’s ministries, as a pianist and piano teacher, and most important, in her role as a pastor’s wife and mother of 3 daughters.

After tragically losing both her husband and her eldest daughter in 1995, Lu Ann continued to minister to her family, friends, and the Hillsdale community. She remained active in women’s ministries and as a church pianist. She taught piano in private lessons and as a member of the staff of the Tampa Music Academy. In 1999 she professionally recorded her finest piano arrangements in a compilation titled “Lu Ann Bradshaw: From My Heart”. Lu Ann never remarried, and she lived independently until her passing.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Mary Craddock; her brother Robert Craddock, Jr.; her sisters Lawanna Creger and Lucille Cantley; her beloved husband Rev. Dr. Alan J. Bradshaw, and her daughter Terri Patterson. She is survived by her daughters Laura Gonzalez and Susan Tyler, and 8 grandchildren.

A service of remembrance will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, July 8th, at Hillsdale Baptist Church, 6201 Ehrlich Road, Tampa, Florida, 33625. Doors will open at 11:00 am for those who wish to pay final respects. Those who are unable to attend the service may watch it live online beginning at 12:00 pm Eastern Time at https://hillsdalebaptist.org/resources/watch-live. The funeral arrangements are being handled by Blount & Curry Funeral Home, Oldsmar, Florida.