Jessie Francis Morris Bradshaw passed away at the age of 92. She was born on May 23, 1919 in Arnett, Missouri to Benjamin F. Morris and Hattie F. Phelps Morris.

Her parents, her brother, William Stivers Morris and her husband, Cleo Leslie Bradshaw, whom she married on August 11, 1941, preceded her in death.

Her sister, Billie Josephine Morris Vonderheid of Allen, Texas and nephews, Marty, Randy, David and Vance Vonderheid from Texas survives Jessie.

After World War II Cleo and Jessie established their home in Ralston, Oklahoma where they managed the Osage Grocery for a few years. Very soon they decided to open a clothing business in Ralston in the early 1950’s which they called Bradshaw Dry Goods. During this time the store was located in two different locations on Main Street. In 1959 they made the difficult decision to leave Ralston and moved their store and family to Garber, Oklahoma. Bradshaw Dry Goods soon came to occupy two storefronts in Garber until Jessie and Cleo decided to retire in 1973-74 and closed the stores. They moved to Kingston, Oklahoma where they purchased a home on Lake Texoma. They resided there for several years but subsequently moved to Guthrie, Oklahoma where they resided until Cleo’s passing in July, 2000.

Jessie continued to live on her own for a number of years but subsequently moved into Ash Street Assisted Care and, later, Golden Age Nursing Home in Guthrie.

Jessie was a very devoted mother and wife. In a matter of words she was the “bedrock of the family.”

She was very determined her three boys would attend and graduate from college---which they did at the University of Central Oklahoma. Although Jessie had to quit school in the 8th grade during the depression years to help support the Morris family, she always longed to finish and receive her high school diploma. While living near Kingston, she did finish her GED but that wasn’t enough. She continued with her education to earn her Bachelors degree and a Masters degree in Special Education from Southeastern State University. This led to a second career of teaching in the Coyle and Guthrie school systems. She taught for 10 years and retired from education in her mid 70’s. She was recognized by KOCO television in 1992 with the 5 Alive Crystal Apple Award for excellence in the classroom during her special education teaching tenure at Guthrie Jr. High school.

Jessie is survived by her three sons, Robert Bradshaw and wife Dixie of Spokane Valley, Washington; Bruce Bradshaw and wife Sue Ann of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and Steve Bradshaw and wife Sherre of Mandeville, Louisiana; six grandchildren, Russell Bradshaw and wife Karri and Rebecca Bradshaw Carlson and husband Kert of Spokane Valley, Washington; John Bradshaw and wife Jill of Wheeling, West Virginia; and Jenny Bradshaw DeFalco and husband Steve of Arlington, Virginia; Matthew Bradshaw and wife Melinda of Katy, Texas and Micah Bradshaw Klumpp and husband Kevin of Gonzales, Lousiana; and thirteen {and two on the way} great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 27, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church of Guthrie.

Burial will follow at the Tryon Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of Smith-Gallo Funeral Home, Guthrie. Visitation will be Friday 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Donations in memory of Jessie may be made to the Garber Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 236, Garber, Oklahoma 73738.

Our family wishes to extend their appreciation to our mother’s friend’s thoughtful visits and to the compassionate staff of Ash Street Assisted Living and Golden Age Nursing Home for their excellent care during our mother’s final years with us.