Jerry Mark Bradley

Jerry Mark Bradley, 95, passed away on Friday, February 2, 2024. He was born March 18, 1928, in Rocky Mount, NC, to the late Jessie Cherry (Adams) Gillikin and Henry B. Adams. He was adopted by the late Lessie Bunn and Dewey Franklin Bradley, and lived most of his life in the Petersburg area. He graduated from Petersburg High School and the Southeastern Management Institute of the University of North Carolina. Jerry was Executive Vice-President of the Petersburg Retail Merchants Association for 41 years. He was past president, Associated Credit Bureaus of Virginia and North Carolina: past president, Virginia Retail Executives Association; former member of the board of directors of the Virginia Retail Merchants Association; and, for 16 years was in charge of the Petersburg Christmas Parade sponsored by the Retail Merchants Association of Petersburg. He was a Charter member of the Board of Directors of the Petersburg Dinwiddie Crime Solvers; former member of the Fort Lee Army Advisory committee for 30 years; former member of the Petersburg Tourism Advisory Committee; former member of the board of directors of the Petersburg Main Street Program of the State of Virginia; and a former member of the board of directors of Downtown Petersburg, Inc. He was a member of the Petersburg Kiwanis Club for 37 years, 12 years on the board of directors, and 5 years as Chairman of the Kiwanis Crippled Children's Clinic. For 6 years he was Scoutmaster of Petersburg Troop 165, Boy Scouts of America and was a member of the Order of the Arrow and a life scout. He was a former member of the Scoutmasters Round Table, Robert E. Lee Council. He was a member of the Crater Chapter 1399, AARP, and served for several years on the board of directors. He was a member of Second Baptist Church in Petersburg and was an ordained Deacon serving at several other churches. He was a veteran of the US Army, serving during the Korean Conflict. He was a trumpeter in the 221st Army Band.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Joyce Vaughan Bradley; one sister, Colleen A. Winn; three half-sisters, Jessie G. Taunton, Sarah G. Jackson, and Lois A. Hall; and a half-brother, Claude B. Gillikin, Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Amelia Ethridge Bradley; son, Ronald Lane Bradley and wife, Iva, of Chesterfield; a daughter, Stacy Beth Bradley Johnston and husband, Roy, of Chester; five grandsons, Ronald L. Bradley, Jr., R. Alex, Bradley M., Christian L., and Reese A. Johnston; one granddaughter, Amy Lynn Bradley (missing); three great-granddaughters, Isabelle S., Oakley G., and Emerson F. Johnston; and one great-grandson, Cooper M. Johnston.

In his younger years, Jerry was the pitcher for his fast-pitch softball team, and enjoyed playing golf. The most memorable times he had were spent on his boat. He made many trips to the old gravel pits, but his favorite place was Gwynn's Island in Mathews County, where he took his family saltwater fishing every year.

Dad, you were the best father anyone could ask for. Your Christian example and kind heart were recognized by everyone who knew you. We miss you so much already, and look forward to the day we will see you again.

A funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Friday, February 9, 2024, at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Southlawn Memorial Park, Prince George County, VA. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at the funeral home.
Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to Second Baptist Church in Petersburg, Destiny Church in Chester or Destination Church in Hopewell in memory of Jerry Mark Bradley.