Pauline and James Bradford, Married 63 years, Passed Two Days Apart

A Babson Park couple shared 63 years of marriage before passing away within two days of one another recently.

James Thurman Bradford passed away Thursday, July 13, 2023. His wife, Pauline Bradford, followed him on Saturday, July 15. Both were under the care of Vitas Hospice at AdventHealth Lake Wales.

James was born December 15, 1939 in Cookeville, Tennessee to the late William and Lena Bradford. Pauline was born June 3, 1941 in Cookeville, Tennessee to the late Elvin and Effie Raines. After living in Michigan for 45 years, Pauline and James moved to Babson Park, where they have lived for the last 13 years at Bob's Landing.

James was a self-employed stone cutter, while Pauline was a librarian at a university in Cookeville, Tennessee.

The couple were preceded in death by two daughters, Janie and Karen, who passed when they were young. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Pauline Bradford; daughter, Vickie Straitz and husband Richard; sister, Nancy Brown; brother, Jerry Bradford; friends, Rodney and Wanda Dunham, and Robert Morgan; and grandsons, Danny and Jesse.

No local services are scheduled. Interment will take place at Crest Lawn Cemetery in Cookeville, Tennessee.