DARLA DAWN BRADFORD

Darla Dawn Bradford

Darla Dawn Bradford, age 57, passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 8, 2025, in Globe, Arizona, surrounded by her family. She was a lifelong resident of Globe, the daughter of Jerry J. and Marianne Shaw.

Darla worked at Gila Pueblo Community College for many years in various roles. She was an Adjunct Instructor for American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, translating between ASL and spoken English, enabling communication between deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals. A role she cherished, not only helping numerous students, but hearing- impaired people of all ages within the community.

Darla’s charitable personality started in the home, but certainly did not end there. As a young woman, she and her mother delivered food baskets to those in need during the holidays. Throughout her life, she remained a giving, caring person, full of compassion. She worked tirelessly with Samaritan’s Purse, helping to deliver shoeboxes with gifts to children in need around the world. Many of her gifts were hand-crafted as she was very talented with arts and crafts, ranging from quilting, crocheting, painting, knitting, sewing, beading and many other crafts. She inspired love and affection from those around her through her care and compassion.

Darla was a caring, gentle soul. She was a fantastic sister, daughter, wife and mother. She carried on the tradition our mother set for her, always tending to her family’s needs, and helping those in need within the community. She was genuine in her efforts, not desiring recognition for her deeds, simply enjoying the happiness she brought to others.

Darla’s faith in God was unshakeable and saw her through her toughest times during her struggle with several medical conditions. One of her favorite bible verses is Romans 8:38-39, 38 “ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Knowing full well that death has no sting, she lived to her last fearlessly, knowing her destination in eternity with our Lord. Although sorrowed that she had to leave her loving family, she was at peace knowing she ran the race as best she could. Her perseverance in this life will surely bring her reward to Heaven.

Although Darla’s physical presence will be greatly missed, her eternal salvation offers us hope and joy that we will one day be reunited with her in the presence of Jesus. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Samaritans Purse, https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/donate-online, (preferably the shoe box program) in memory of her commitment to children in crisis.

She is survived by her husband, David Bradford and their five children, Nathaneal Bradford, Andrew Bradford, James Bradford, John Bradford and Marianne Bradford, and two grandchildren, Leonidas and Tobias and her two brothers Richard Shaw and Stephen Shaw and sister Deborah Packer.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jerry and Marianne Shaw, and her brother, David Shaw.

Funeral Services to be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., at Trinity Baptist Church, 1364 S. Hagen Road in Globe, Arizona. Interment followed at Globe Cemetery. The Family will host a potluck style luncheon following interment services.

Assisting the family: Lamont Mortuary of Globe.