Shirley Laverne Bradley

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Shirley Laverne Bradley passed away peacefully on December 25, 2024, at the age of 84 at Colorow Care Center in Olathe, CO.

Shirley was a proud native Texan, born on December 23, 1940, in Houston, Texas, to her loving parents, Sam Earl Smith and Eula Laverne (Barnum) Smith. She dedicated her life to Jesus and was committed to living as a witness for Christ. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life.

Shirley had a remarkable passion for creativity. As a child, she built forts with zeal, and that adventurous spirit carried into her adult life. She loved painting and photographing landscapes, sewing clothes for her family, designing costumes, and cultivating thriving gardens in Onalaska and Kerrville, TX, where her green thumb truly shone. She attended Reagan High School in Houston, where she was an active member of the Reagan Redcoats and played the drums. Aspiring to become a legal secretary, she began working at a law firm during high school. Shirley later attended Baylor University, majoring in Business Administration. Though her education was paused when she married Thomas Michael Miller in 1961, she continued her studies at the University of Houston and the University of Oklahoma, remaining just a few credits shy of earning her degree. Shirley was blessed with two children, Mindy and Steven, whom she cherished dearly.

Following her divorce from Tom, Shirley excelled in various roles, including secretarial and interior design work. Her career journey even took her to a bank—an experience she left behind after a robbery convinced her it wasn’t her ideal workplace. She eventually found her place at Coastal Corporation, where she worked until retirement.

In 1987, Shirley reconnected with the love of her life, James Bradley. They were married on June 25th and shared a beautiful life filled with travel, camping, fishing, and a deep appreciation for nature. While Jim hunted deer, Shirley “hunted” with her camera, often saying she “couldn’t bring herself to kill a deer.” They cherished living on Lake Livingston together before retiring to Kerrville, TX. Shirley was an active member of Kerrville Bible Church and generously  many philanthropic organizations in Kerrville. She also found great joy in teaching children about Jesus through the Good News Club.

Shirley’s unwavering devotion to Christ was the foundation of her life. She accepted Jesus as her Savior at the age of 10, was baptized, and later rededicated her life to Him in 2019. Her love for the Lord was evident in her words, actions, and the kindness she showed to all.
In 2022, Shirley moved to Montrose to be closer to her daughter as dementia began to take its toll.

Shirley is survived by her loving children, Mindy Miller (Eric Weig) and Steven Miller (Tiffany Moy-Miller); her stepsons, Darren and Michael Bradley (Rachel Bradley); her cherished grandchildren, Jordan Bush (Zachary Bush), Mason Weig, Tarian Miller, Prenity Miller, Nathan Bradley (Bree Bradley), David Bradley, Loryn Jones (Caleb Jones), Julia Bradley, and Bec Bradley; and great-grandchildren, Shepherd and Lennon Bradley, and Jonah Bush. She was predeceased by her parents, Sam and Eula Smith; her husband, James Bradley; and her daughter-in-law, Sandie Bradley.

A service to celebrate Shirley’s life will be held at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston, TX, with interment to follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery. Details about the day and time will be shared soon. Arrangements are under the care of Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Good News Club at https://www.cefonline.com/ministries/goodnewsclub/ or HopeWest Hospice.

Shirley’s legacy of faith, love, creativity, and integrity will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.