Billie Joe Bradley

Billie Joe Bradley died following a brief battle with Covid-19 on Sunday, August 29, 2021, in Wichita at the age of 86. She was born the daughter of Essie (Dewberry) and Hartwell Menefee, Sr. on May 27, 1935 in Ft. Worth. On July 17, 1954, she and Clifford Bradley, Sr. were united in marriage in Lawton, Oklahoma where he was serving in the military. Together they celebrated 42 years of marriage before his passing in April of 1997. Billie Joe eventually relocated to Wellington where she and her family have lived since.

She worked for several years in the hotel industry but she found her calling at Future’s Unlimited. It was here where she worked as a production assistant alongside her son, Milton. Billie Joe retired after numerous years of service. In her retirement, she loved playing BINGO but especially enjoyed her trips to the casino where she would spend her time at the slot machines. Once home, Billie Joe looked forward to watching Steve Harvey host the Family Feud. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend that will be missed by many. 

Survivors include her daughter, Barbara Kelly of Wellington; son, John Menefee of Wichita; daughter, Betty Bradley of Wellington; son, Milton Bradley of Wellington; daughter, Ritha Abrams of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; daughter, Brenda Bradley of Wellington; daughter, Karen Bradley of Wichita; daughter, Julie McClain and DeWayne “Hank” Hankerson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; daughter, Markie Bradley of Wellington; brother, Hartwell “Pep” Menefee, Jr. of Lawton, Oklahoma, numerous grandchildren: Tesha Kelly, Willie Kelly, Jr., Sasha Menefee, Ciara Buggs, Ebony Bray, Chandra Bray, Markkel Bradley, Chree Bradley, Gregory Bradley, Brittany Bradley, Rica Bradley, Keona Bradley, Sir Patrick Bruner, Meosha Clemons and Cory, Jasmine Bradley, Clayshun Bradley, Ko’Neishea McDaniel and Alex, An’Jlica Bradley; numerous great-grandchildren along with a dear friend and bonus daughter, Cindy Hizer and her daughter, April Hizer, who is Billie Joe’s goddaughter. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Hartwell and Essie Menefee; husband, Clifford Bradley, Sr.; son, Clifford “Boom” Bradley, Jr. and her siblings: Johnnie V. Huffman, Leola Dillard, Rosie M. Williams, Betty Rhodes, Alexander Menefee, William Menefee, Irwin Menefee, Margin Dewberry, Ernest Menefee, Annie Bell Baucom Menefee; daughter-in-law, Rosemary Rice; grandson, Clifton Bradley and great-grandson, Da’Moggio Johnson. 

A viewing will be held at the funeral home from 12 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, September 3, 2021, with the family present to receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. If attending, the family requests that all guests wear a face mask.

Funeral services for Billie Joe will begin at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 4, 2021, at the Wellington Free Will Baptist Church, 802 East 16th Street, Wellington. If attending, the family requests that all guests wear a face mask.

Memorial contributions can be given in her name and loving memory to the Wellington VFW Post No. 881. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home.

Share a memory, leave condolences or sign her digital tribute wall at www.cornejofuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Cornejo Funeral Home + Crematory, 1030 Mission Road, Wellington.