SARAH ROBERTSON BRADFORD

Sarah Robertson Bradford, dedicated educator, faithful church leader and devoted mother died Thursday at her home. She was born April 7, 1913, in Dover GA to Windell Arthur and Willie Ethel Ingram Robertson. As the youngest of four children, Sarah fulfilled her parents’ dream of completing a secondary and college education. After attending Macon, GA public schools she received a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State College for Women in 1933 with majors in English and physics and a minor in chemistry. She would later earn a master’s degree in education from Georgia Teachers College in Statesboro.

After moving to Savannah with her family, Sarah was certified as a medical technologist by the American Society of Medical Technologists and worked as a clinical medical technologist including work in the new field of medical radiology. She married Brazil Ransom Bradford, III in 1936. After spending 15 years as a full time wife and mother she began a teaching career in 1951, primarily teaching General Science in the Savannah Public School System until her retirement in 1977. Among many honors she received a Merit Scholarship for Advanced Training in 1957, and was named Chatham County Teacher of the Year for the 1956-1957 and 1960-1961 school years. She was a dedicated member of the Isle of Hope United Methodist Church where she served on the Administrative Board, and was a leader and active participant in the Wylly-Dupon Sunday School Class, the In as Much Circle of the United Methodist Women, and the Sparklers Bible Study and Choir. Sarah was an active member of the Savannah chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority.

Preceded in death by her husband in 1956, she devoted her life to the love, support and education of her five children on the limited income of a public school teacher. Her children and their spouses are Ransom Bradford of Muenster, Germany; Windell and Gail Bradford of Savannah; Dr. Sallie and the late Dr. Edward Krickel of Athens, GA; Neil and Laurie Bradford of Portal, GA; and John and Diane Bradford of Marietta, GA. Her grandchildren and their spouses are Alfred Bradford of Munster, Germany; Susan and Mark Hall of Smithfield, NC; Margaret and Brad Myers of Atlanta, GA; Catherine and Joe Bugg of Richmond, VA; Edward and Julie Krickel of Danielsville, GA; Elizabeth Krickel of Athens, GA; Mary and Steven Wilson of Florence, AL; Samuel Bradford of Statesboro, GA; Michael Bradford of Brooklet, GA; Steven and Teresa Bradford of Stilson, GA; Christopher Bradford of Statesboro, GA; John and Kasey Bradford of Smyrna, GA; Sarah and Kermit Randa of Atlanta, GA; and Laura Bradford of Austell, GA. Step grandchildren are Paige and Ray Piasecki of Smyrna, GA; Paul Copeland of Marietta, GA; and Tracy Chatham of Atlanta, GA. She has 19 great grandchildren. Services will be held at the Isle of Hope United Methodist Church at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 26, 2006. A nursery will be provided. Interment will be in Bonaventure Cemetery. Family visitation will be at Friday, August 25, 2006 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Fox and Weeks Funeral Home on Hodgson Memorial Drive. Pallbearers are grandsons Alfred Bradford, Christopher Bradford, John Bradford, Michael Bradford, Samuel Bradford, Steven Bradford and Edward Krickel. Honorary pallbearers are Jack Robertson, Joe Hiles and Richard Hiles. Remembrances may be made to the Isle of Hope United Methodist Church, 412 Parkersburg Road, Savannah, GA 31406.
FOX AND WEEKS FUNERAL DIRECTORS HODGSON CHAPEL