Isaac Frank Bradley, Sr. was the eldest son of the late Rev. Jacob Calvin Bradley and the former Annie Rossie Gaines. He was reared in Faceville, GA and studied theology at Edward Waters College--Jacksonville, FL. He received his calling to Christian ministry in 1922. In addition to Flipper Chapel, Rev. Bradley served as pastor to numerous congregations within the Big Bend area and held the post of secretary in the Florida Annual Conference. Fraternally, he held many Masonic and lodge posts within the Tallahassee community.
Rev. Bradley was known as a man who set high standards, not only for his family, but also for all those in which he came in contact on a daily basis. Indeed, he was an inspiration for many people within and without the Bond Community. A strong believer in education, he served as president of the Bond Elementary School PTA. Though he put in long hours at his repair shop, his need to mission to others propelled many after-work visits to local hospitals and the homes of those sick and shut-in; his day never ending without the utterance of prayer.
Wed to the late Geneva Porter Bradley, Rev. Bradley stood as a beloved patriarch to a rather large family unit, many of whom remain prominent members of Flipper's congregation--including the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of his two surviving daughters, our revered "Mother" Grace Bradley Fitz (wed to Johnny B. Fitz) and our well-cherished Sis. Ruth Bradley Armstrong (wed to Dr. C. Wesley Armstong). Indeed, two of his grandchildren, Sis. Diann Fitz-Jones and Bro. Jerome Fitz serve on the staff here at Praise and one of Rev. Bradley's numerous great-grandchildren, Miss Jerion Fitz, is presently 'In The Spotlight' for December. Other Flipper descendents include Sis. Lucille Cofield, Sis. Franzetta Fitz, Sis. Antoinette Bennett, Bro. Samual Dennis, Miss. Ashli Jones, Master Jeromee Dennis, et al.
Rev. Bradley was called home on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 25), 1999. We at Flipper are most humble to have benefited from his wise councel and pastoral leadership and will never forget or overlook the contributions made by this, one of His most dedicated, servants.
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