Army Jean Bradford

Love Is...

Love is caring; Love is sharing

Love is the bond between you and me

Love is like the deep blue sea

Love is holding me tight

Love is making everything alright

Love is knowing that you care about me

Love is just being there for me

Love is like whispering sweet nothings to me letting me know that you’re thinking of me. Love... I wonder how it makes you feel?

Love... I want to know can you keep it real?

Love; (sigh) is like a spoken word...

You believe it when you hear it

Love is also to enjoy. You can feel it in your spirit.

Love’s like a special word

People use it to express their feelings, It’s hard to understand if you’re holding it inside. So when telling someone that you love them, Make sure you know for sure if you want to Believe them. Because you get hurt once, Who’s to say you won’t get hurt again?

LOVE -Lameika

Wright

~

We, the family of Army Jean Rucker Bradford, would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have shown their support and love during this difficult time. Your kind words, gestures, and presence have brought comfort to our family as we grieve the loss of a beloved member. We are truly grateful for the outpouring of sympathy and support from our friends, colleagues, and community. Thank you for honoring the memory of Army.

~The Family

~ Active Pallbearers ~

Nathanal Guffin

Ernest Goodman, Jr. Rodney Irby, Jr.

Rodney Irby

Charles Wright

Willie B. Rucker

Life’s Reflections

“She is clothed with strength and dignity... Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

- Proverbs 31:25,31

OnSunday, March 10, 2024, our beloved Army Jean Rucker Bradford peacefully transitioned to her eternal home, surrounded by love and cherished memories.

Born in Tate County, Coldwater, Mississippi, Army was a daughter of Willie Sr. and Frances Townsend Rucker. She attended Coldwater High School and dedicated her life to Christ at an early age. Army’s beautiful voice echoed through the church as she joyously sang praises to the Lord. In 1964, Army embarked on a new chapter in her life, making Memphis, TN, her second home. It was there that she found her soulmate, West Bradford Jr., and on April 6, 1998, their love was sealed in marriage. Army’s affection for West was evident in every word and gesture she shared.

After a fulfilling career at St. Francis Hospital, Army embraced retirement in the early 2000s. She found solace in tending to her garden, visiting her Mississippi family, and creating unforgettable bonds with her grandchildren. Affectionately known as “GG,” Army lived each day to the fullest, delighting in watching movies, preparing delicious meals for her loved ones, and discovering hidden treasures through thrifting adventures. Army was preceded in death by her beloved parents, her four siblingsSammie Rucker, Jerry Rucker, Albert Rucker, and Elbert Rucker - and her precious granddaughter, Lameika Wright. Though their absence weighs heavy on our hearts, their spirits will forever reside in our cherished memories.

Army leaves behind her devoted husband, West Bradford Jr., who will forever hold her in his heart. She is also survived by her three children, Edna Goodman, Tammy Phillips (Edwards), and Sharon Guffin (Nathanal), as well as her stepchildren, Nicholas B. Bradford (Tanika), Monica NDaw (Mamadou), Wendy Omolabi (Ajibola), Stephanie Bradford, Joseph Ausley, and Vanessa Ausley-Zano. Army’s extended family includes eleven siblings: Mary Pace (Peoria), Martha Snipes-Steveson, Connie Irby (Rodney), Vonnis Benson (Edward), Jackie Rucker, Willie Rucker Jr., Willie B. Rucker, Timothy Rucker, Sherman Rucker, Clarence Willis, and Curtis Rucker. Additionally, she is survived by five in-laws: John Bradford (Debbie), Derwin Brandford (Peggy), Raymond Bradford (Cheryl), and Christine Bradford-White (James). Army’s legacy continues through her seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, her God-Sister, Shirley Perkins, and a vast network of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends whose lives she touched deeply.

Army Jean Rucker Bradford’s life was a testament to love, faith, and the joy of family. As we bid farewell to our dear Army, let us celebrate the profound impact she had on our lives and the legacy of love she leaves behind. May her spirit find eternal peace, and may her memory be a source of comfort and inspiration for all who knew and loved her

“Broken Chain”

We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly. In death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; for part of us went with you the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories your love is still our guide; and though we cannot see you, you are always at our side. Our family chain is broken and nothing seems tge same, but as God calls us one by one the chain will link again.

Order of Celebration

Saturday, March 30, 2024 • 11:00 A.M.

New Dimension Ministries

3607 Frayser - Raleigh Road • Memphis, Tennessee 38128

Brother John Shannon, Eulogist

Prelude

Processional.............................................The Family of Army Jean Bradford “Missing You”

Scripture Reading:

The Old & New Testament................................Brother John Shannon

Prayer..........................................................................Pastor Allen D. Young

Musical Selection............................................Sister Vennis Rucker - Benson

Special Visual Tribute.......................................“Back Down Memory Lane”

Words of Comfort...............................................................Pastor JQ Wooten

Acknowledgements...........................................................Dorthia Robertson

Musical Selection...................................................Brother Willie Rucker, Jr.

Poem.............................................................................Edna Jean Goodman Daughter

Expressions of Love

(Respectfully, Two Minutes Please) Family & Friends

Musical Selection..............................................Pastor JQ Wooten & Family

Eulogy..........................................................................Brother John Shannon

Committal Rites

Recessional

“God’s Garden”

God looked around His garden And He found an empty place. And then He looked down upon the earth, And saw your tired face. He put His arms around you, And lifted you to rest.

God’s garden must be beautiful He always takes the best. He saw the road was getting rough, And the hills were hard to climb, So He closed your weary eyelids, And whispered, “Peace be thine.” It broke our hearts to lose you.

But you didn’t go alone, For part of us went with you, The day God called you home.