Laclede Bradley

LaClede, affectionately known as “Clee” was born LaClede Kimbrough to Flave and Georgia Kimbrough on February 5, 1938; the fourth of five children in Annie Manie, Alabama. While Clee was yet still young, the family relocated to Gadsden, Alabama where Clee confessed a hope in Christ at First Baptist of East Gadsden – Green Pastures. She received her education through the East Gadsden public school system, graduating from Carver High School class of 1955.

On February 23, 1956, Clee’s life was forever changed as she became a mom and welcomed her first bundle of joy, LaPheisa “Pheisa” Kimbrough. Pheisa’s spotlight, would soon be shared with her little brother, Clee’s second blessing, Eric Darnell “Dirk” Kimbrough whom she welcomed on June 16, 1959. A bold young woman who marched to the beat of her own drum, Clee moved to Mobile, Alabama where she met and fell in love with Louis Bradley, Sr. Her sweet personality and genuine concern for others made it easy for the Bradley family to take her in as one of their own. She and Louis married and welcomed the final puzzle piece to her trilogy of blessings on January 4, 1963 when Louis “June” Bradley Jr. was born.

Clee relocated to Chicago, Illinois in 1966. She lived there for two years before settling in Maywood, putting down roots and finding a church home in Rock of Ages Baptist Church in the early 1970’s where she remained a member until death. She worked for many years as a cab driver, and later, a dispatcher for Maywood Cab Company. Driving a cab may not sound all that glorious, but not only was Clee good at it, she enjoyed it tremendously. It gave her an opportunity to do something that she loved: TALK! Driving that cab allowed her to touch the people in her community and it opened the door to developing life-long friendships with many of her patrons.

Her generosity, her hospitality, her spunk, her laughter, her warmth, her directness, her humble spirit, her sweet potato pies, and her loving nature will truly be missed by those who knew and loved her. She heard the Voice of her Heavenly Father and was escorted into His Presence by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday night, February 19, 2018. There she was greeted by her mother and father, her siblings: Gwendolyn, Earnestine and Edison, and her first bundle of joy, Pheisa, and her beloved: Louis Sr. – who all preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her memory: two sons, Eric Darnell Kimbrough and Louis Bradley Jr. (Gina); one sister, Annie May Rogers; five grandchildren; three great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, loved ones and 3 very special friends: Rose, Dean & Drew.