Contributed by Eric Wood
The Fairfield Recorder
Sept 26, 1890-Sept 20, 1895
Transcribed by Ann Farnsworth
Fairfield Genealogical Society, copyright 2003
p. 64 - "May 25, 1894"
Death of Mrs. Josephine Bradley
Last Thursday evening a large number of friends and relatives and acquaintances
assembled in the Fairfield Cemetery to pay the last tribute of respect and love
to one who is widely known for her kindness and generally loved for her
goodness. Mrs. Josephine Bradley, wife of Mr. G. T. Bradley of Stewards
Mill, died Wednesday morning, May 23rd, 1894.
Mrs. Bradley was born in Wilcox County, Alabama about 50 years ago and had lived
in the county 35 years. She leaves two children, a son and a daughter. The
late W. H. McCrery was her brother.
She was a member of the Presbyterian Church and died in the hopes that there is
a rest for the children of God. When the summons of the Master came she
was ready to go.
There is a peace that the earth cannot give; there are comforts but they fall
from immortal lips, there are smiles that strengthen and bless and save, but
they have origin of eternity. May the bereaved family receive them all."
p. 65-66
"June 8, 1894"
In Memory of Mrs. Joe L. Bradley
"O world! So few the years we live
Would that the life which then dost give
Were life indeed!
Alas! They sorrows fall so fast,
Our happiest hour is when at last
The soul if freed."
Steadily one by one the circle of our loved ones on the other shore is
increasing. Those who are left are lives and hollowed our home are quietly
passing from earth to the "city celestial" there to dwell and wait the coming of
those left here.
Silently as all the zephyrs stirred by the breezes does the angel of death
beckon them across to join that sweet voice choir whose music rings on forever
and no pain or sorrow do they know for there the fountain of perpetual peace
runs.
Again we have been called to mourn the loss of a dear one: the sunshine
and happiness of a home has been blighted, a chair which had can never be filled
is left vacant there, a lasting void is in our church and community in general
in the death of a true Christian woman.
Mrs. Joe L. Bradley, wife of Mr. G. T. Bradley, and youngest daughter of Rev.
Joseph and Mary McCreary, was born Nov 27, 1844 in Wilcox County, Alabama, but
moved with her mother to this county when quiet young, where she was raised and
educated and lived surrounded by a host of friends and relatives who esteemed
and loved her dearly until
"Her soul to Him who gave it rose,
God lead it to its long repose
in glorious rest."
The deceased was a member of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in which
she was a most dutiful and humble member, exemplifying in her every act the true
Christian.
She was a mother to the orphan, ever ready to fold them into her loving arms and
quiet their sobs of woe with sweet words of consolation and hope; her hand
was always open to the poor and needy, her heart was susceptible to the least
touch of human sympathy, her ears heard the faintest cries of distress.
She was ever ready and willing to perform the duties to advance the cause of her
holy Master. We can truly say work and not words characterized her
glorious life.
Truly this loss is great; yet in the wisdom of God it is all good; and to those
mourn there is a solace for even through our tears we can see that "He is nigh
unto them that are of a broken heart and comforteth such as for a contrite
spirit."
We can not call our departed ones back to this transient sphere, but let us
trust we may go to them.
Then let us commit ourselves and our all into His hands and say in the words of
the meek and lowly Jesus, "Thy will be done".