Johnes G Bradford

Johnes Green Bradford was born July 16, 1924 in Gadsden, Alabama to Rev. Simon Milton Bradford and Lillie McClellan Green Bradford. He belonged Friendship Missionary Baptist Church where he accepted Christ at an early age. He married Dorothy Ellington Bradford on June 30, 1951 and moved to Wickliffe in 1953. Through their union they had one child, Lili, and adopted one child, Roderick. His favorite bible verses came from the books of Corinthians. Johnes graduated from Carver High School in Gadsden. He proceeded to Tuskegee Institute where he played trumpet in the college band, studied Commercial Dietetics and planned to transfer to Theology. He was in the ROTC Infantry, Junior, Tuskegee Institute. Johnes' education was interrupted by the draft into the service of the United States of America in the Army and sent into the European African Middle Eastern Theatre. His service papers stated he played written music with skill. He received the EAME Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, World War II Victory Medal, The Good Conduct Medal, and was a rifle sharpshooter. Johnes was a bugler in the Army, often on the front lines and under fire as he fulfilled his duties. He performed duties with the Quartermaster Service Company in Scotland, Wales, England, France, and Germany. He also acted as Company Messenger, and played 5 different bugle announcements from memory. At times these duties were also performed under fire. He was honorably discharged. He met and married Dorothy Mae Ellington in Cleveland, Ohio in 1951. They moved to Wickliffe in 1953. They joined Covenant Baptist Church in 1956 and in September of that year, Lili was born. He worked for Chase Brass Copper Company for over 30 years, and was the the first black president of their trade union. He retired approximately at the age of 55. A man of many talents who loved and served his family, community and country well. He was a member of the outlook Club and a life long member of the Republican Party. He served as scout master in Wickliffe, Ohio in the 60's & 70's, on the Recreation commission, and the Environmental commission for many years. An advocate for quality education, he also ran for the Wickliffe City School Board in the 1970's. Johnes was very active in the Lake County NAACP, and when he moved to Jefferson, he became involved with the Ashtabula County NAACP, and served as the President for several years. He was also a member of the VFW, served as a commander at a Cleveland Post, and was a life member in the Jefferson, Ohio Post 3334. Johnes distributed Christmas gifts to the veterans at Louis Stokes VA Hospital annually. The VA was his choice of medical care since his discharge from the service. Johnes was proceeded in death by his wife of 60 years, Dr. Dorothy Mae Ellington Bradford, son Roderick Bradford, parents Simon and Lillie Bradford, siblings Charles, Simon, George, Leatha, Henry, Joseph, Jane, Margaret, and Lillie. He is survived by his daughter Lili D. Bradford Barnes, son-n-law R. Timothy Barnes, grandson Garrett P. Bradford, great-granddaughters Gabrielle and Gelya Bradford, sister Juanita Bradford Sumpter, special nieces Lillian Keith and Lillian Synor, first cousin Robert Garrett, and a host of other nieces and nephews and dear friends from Lake County especially Wickliffe, Ashtabula County especially those of the Ashtabula NAACP, and the Cleveland Area. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, or VFW posts for Louis Stokes VA Hospital for Holiday presents for the soldiers.

Johnes G Bradford

July 16, 1924 - November 17, 2015

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