Marion Cookson Bradford

Funeral services for Marion Cookson Bradford, 97, of Lufkin will be held Thursday, June 7, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Doug Holtzclaw and Reverend Mark Newton officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Mrs. Bradford was born July 28, 1920 in Roswell, New Mexico to the late H.H. and Jewel Cookson, and passed away Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at The Joseph House.

Mrs. Bradford graduated from high school in Deming, New Mexico and was a graduate of Howard Payne College in Brownwood, Texas. She married J. L. Bradford May 23, 1940 in Brownwood and they were married for 64 years. Mrs. Bradford was a Business teacher for 27 years. She taught at Hudson High School for nine years and Lufkin High School for 18 years. She organized the Vocational Office Education program at Lufkin High School and taught the program for 12 years.

She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Lufkin for over 60 years. She served in many areas, but one of her favorites was singing in the church choir. She was quoted in a newspaper article saying, “I am never happier than when I am singing about my Lord. The youth is gone and the music lessons are long forgotten, but the joy in singing or making a joyful noise for my Lord is still there.” Mrs. Bradford felt the things that mattered the most to her was first, her relationship to God and secondly, her family. She served both well.

Survivors include her daughter, Juel Ann Holtzclaw and husband Doug; sons, Jesse Bradford and wife Suzanne and David Bradford and wife Marsha; granddaughters, JonAnna Arnold and husband Glen, Heather Patterson and husband Lynn, Kristen Belshaw and husband Ben, Laurie Sanderson and husband Landon, and Amy Dill and husband Whoa; grandsons, Douglas Holtzclaw, Jr., Brian Holtzclaw and wife Kim, and Brian Bradford and wife Roxanne; 22 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, J. L. Bradford; brothers, Orville, Rodman, and Charles Cookson; and sister, Dorothy Gamble.

Pallbearers will be Douglas Holtzclaw, Jr., Brian Holtzclaw, Landon Sanderson, Brian Bradford, Whoa Dill, Glen Arnold, Ben Belshaw, Lynn Patterson, Charlie Arnold, and Trey Holtzclaw.

The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Huber, PineCrest Retirement Community, Hospice in the Pines, The Joseph House, and special family friend, Pat Merriweather.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.