We want to tell you a story about our mother, Frankie Bradshaw, who passed away peacefully surrounded by her children and loved ones at Worland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center on July 15, 2024.
Frankie was born March 28, 1931, in Kansas City, Missouri to Henry and Gretelle (Dukes) Lightfoot. As a young child her family moved to South Missouri. She grew up helping on their family farm and attended a one room country schoolhouse. When she was in the 7th grade her school consolidated with Urbana High School in Urbana, Missouri and she graduated from there in 1949. She went to work for the Hallmark Card Company in Kansas City, Missouri, until she married our dad, Dee Bradshaw. The couple moved to Worland, Wyoming in 1950. Dad and Mom had five children, four being born in Worland, Teresa, Steve, Vicki and Greg. A fifth child, Bobbie, was born prematurely while visiting family in Missouri in 1955 and died at home in Wyoming in 1956.
Our mom was truly a shy person, but she never knew a stranger at church. She invited every new person that came to church for dinner, so we never knew who would be joining us. She loved her church family and was very active in the First Southern Baptist Church teaching Sunday School, serving on committees, teaching VBS, and always visible in the kitchen as part of the Hospitality Committee. Up until her thyroid surgery, her singing voice was an inspiration and her children loved hearing her sing. She loved her gospel music. Many a Sunday we would be getting ready for church, and she would have her albums playing in her bedroom.
She loved having all the family at her house for dinner. There was no such thing as a paper plate at moms, it was always the good silverware and beautiful dishes. On our birthdays, she always made our favorites. She was famous for her brownies at every funeral dinner, and we teased her and said that she better have some in the freezer because they would be missed at her service.
One of the jobs she loved was working for Gus and Gertrude Poulos when they opened the first pizza place in Worland. She later went to work for the United States Post office and retired in 1991.
Mom was the perfect woman to be married to our dad and she did everything for him that she could. In later years she was a nursemaid to our great aunt and our dad, everyone else came first! We went with our parents to ballgames, school events and numerous activities. She supported every grandchild in every sport, musical or whatever they were involved in. Her daily prayers always included them, and her main prayer was that they would all come to know the Lord and love serving Him.
She was our Miss America, our Iron Chef, our Ruth, but most of all she was our mother whom God blessed us with for so many special years, and for that we thank Him. What a void will be in our hearts and lives, but we take comfort in knowing we will see her again because she knew her Jesus and served him faithfully, sharing His story with others.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Dee Bradshaw, infant son, Robert Franklin (Bobbie) Bradshaw, granddaughter, Diana Renee Schmeltzer, sister, Betty Crook, Aunt Lily and Uncle Clay, many other aunts and uncles, friends, and one of her best friends, Laura Slye.
She is survived by her children, Teresa (Ed) Engstrom of Riverton, Steve (Sandy) Bradshaw of Helena, Montana, Vicki (Tom) Schmeltzer and Greg (Anna) Bradshaw, of Worland; grandchildren, Ember (Cory) Lucas, Trevor Engstrom, Tyler (Angie) Bradshaw, Travis (Allison) Bradshaw, Nathan (Katie) Schmeltzer, Janie (Jeremy) Cox, Jordan (Myles) Bush, Laura (Bryan) Barthelmess, Marc (April) Bradshaw, Karlene Frahm, Charlene (Joe) Jones and Jolene Poffenroth. 22 great-grandchildren, her brother, Henry (Butch) Lightfoot, three sisters-in-law, Shirley Kyllonen, Sharon Looney, and Cheryl Bradshaw, and many nieces and nephews.
Our family would like to thank the staff at Washakie Medical Center and Worland Healthcare and Rehabilitation. Your overwhelming love and devotion to our mother was felt every step of the way and deeply appreciated.
Memorial services will be held 11:00 AM, Saturday, July 20, 2024 at Crosspoint Baptist Church. Her grandson, Nathan Schmeltzer will be officiating. A private graveside burial will take place prior to church services. Memorials can be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital and sent to PO Box 524, Worland, WY 82401. Online condolences may be made at http://www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.
