Juanita Bradford, 81, of Silver Lake, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 10:55 a.m. at Peabody Retirement Home in North Manchester.
Juanita was born in Prestonsburg, Ky., on Jan. 13, 1943, to Jimmie and Lisha Ousley Reffitt.
On July 4, 1959, in Silver Lake, Juanita was united in marriage to Paul T. Bradford. And through this union came three boys. She was a farmer’s wife and the foundation of their homestead, keeping all things in proper order. They raised their boys in Gospel Hill Church in Silver Lake, where they were members for many years.
Her love grew even bigger when her grandchildren were born. She was always completely involved and could sit for hours, just watching them play and laugh. But she always made sure to try and call her boys two times a day to check in.
Juanita enjoyed baking treats and always had goodies in her house when her grandchildren came over. She was an excellent cook and had a deep faith and love for Jesus. Her heart was most full when she was around children and always gave to them in any way she could.
She is missed dearly by her husband of 65 years, Paul, of Silver Lake; and their sons: Dave (Carol) Bradford, of Mooresville; Pastor Terry (Samantha) Bradford, of Silver Lake; and Ron (Stella) Bradford, of Silver Lake; seven grandchildren: Austin (Mary Beth) Francis, James (Brittany) Bradford, Derek (Jessica) Bradford, Nick (Holly) Bradford, Josh Bradford, Alysha Bradford and Dylan (Savannah) Downey; 12 great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings: Eva Marie Baldridge, Corbin Reffitt, Ray Reffitt and Tommy E. Reffitt.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Free Will Baptist Church of Kosciusko, 58 W. CR 700S, Claypool. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday with her son, Pastor Terry Bradford, and Pastor Frank Whitaker officiating.
Burial will be in South Whitley Cemetery, IN-14 E in South Whitley.
Memorials can be made to KC Riley Kids Fund c/o Kosciusko County Community Foundation Inc., 102 E. Market St., Warsaw, IN 46580.
To sign the guestbook or send a condolence to the family, please visit www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.