THE ODESSA AMERICAN
http://www.oaoa.com/obit/obits111903.htm

Juanita Ruth Bradham

GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. — Juanita Ruth (Butler) Bradham, 82,
 passed away at St. Mary’s Hospital following a stroke on 
Wednesday, November 5, 2003. Her husband and Best Friend of 
64 years, Brad; her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, 
brother-in-law Doug and his wife, Millie, were by her side.
Juanita was born July 5, 1921, at Bomarton, Texas, to Howard
 E. Butler and Allie Caroline (Montgomery) Butler, the 
seventh of nine children. She attended schools in several 
rural areas in Texas, including Rocky Point, Valley View 
and Forsan. In Forsan, her high school friend, Edna Earl Bradham, 
introduced Juanita to her brother Sterling Arnold (Brad) Bradham.
This started a courtship and a great, lifelong friendship. Juanita
 and Brad were married May 8, 1939, at Sterling City, Texas,
 the first couple to be married in the new courthouse in Sterling
 City. Shortly thereafter, they settled in Kermit, Texas. 
Juanita and Brad had three children, the treasures of Juanita’s life.

After the children grew up, Juanita earned her Licensed Practical
 Nurse degree in Kermit, and then followed Brad in his travels
 around the world, including Washington, Arizona, Oklahoma and 
Algeria. After a two-year stay in Algeria, Juanita and Brad settled
 in Grand Junction in 1980 to enjoy retirement. Juanita enjoyed
 her family, quilting, scrapbooking, making pottery, working in 
her yard, being a nurse and her dog, “Chewy.”
Her husband, Brad, will greatly miss his best friend, traveling 
companion, and his Great Love of 64 years. Juanita was the Great
 Best Friend, protector, moral support, confidant and the hub of
 the family. She taught the family to enjoy the beauty of nature 
every day and to take every opportunity to laugh and enjoy life. 
The grandchildren and great-grandchildren remember her as “Granny,”
 the loving, nurturing, and always-there-for-them matriarch of the
 family. They will miss her terribly. “She held our family together
 and made sure we always washed our hands.” She will be remembered 
as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister,
 aunt and friend.
Juanita is survived by her husband of 64 years, Brad; her son, Ben 
(Darlene) Bradham of Whitewater; her daughter, Saundra (Mike) 
Hammett of Grand Junction; her brother R.L. (Jackie) Butler of 
Hobbs, N.M.; brother Hubert (Nelle) Butler of Georgetown, Texas; 
six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a very special 
niece, Sue (Jack) Hardy of Midland, Texas.
Her parents, her daughter, Linda Dick; her grandson, Steven Parrack;
 and six brothers and sisters preceded her in death.
Funeral services were held at Martin Mortuary, 550 North Ave., 
Grand Junction, Colorado, at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 8, 2003. 
Visitation was at Martin Mortuary Friday evening, November 7, 2003. 
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the 
American Cancer Society, Box 3115, Grand Junction, CO 81502 or 
The Rescue Mission, 550 South Ave., Grand Junction, CO 81501.