Willie M. Bradley

Mrs. Willie Meanor Hopkins Copeland Bradley was born Sunday, December 11, 1921, in Kelton, South Carolina to the late Will and Hattie Hopkins. She answered the Lord’s call on Sunday, May 19th, 2024, 5:20pm at Autumn Lake HealthCare at Waugh Chapel in Gambrills, MD, after celebrating 102 years of life!

Mrs. Willie was born into a family that worked, prayed, and stayed together. Atan early age, she joined New Emanuel Chapel Baptist Church, where her father, Will “Jack Hop” was a deacon. Growing up, her family experienced slavery and worked as sharecroppers. When she was 12-years old, her mother, Hattie, passed away shortly after childbirth but with the help of her older sister, Augusta, they raised a family of 8 children! Ms. Willie grew up with lots of love and the banter of other siblings, Alma Glenn, the late Amanda (infant), Augusta Brannon, Arthur Lee, Curtis, Maggie Rogers, Minnie Ruth Talley, and Annie Bell Sims.

With an 8th grade education, Ms. Willie taught herself to cook, crochet and sew, make/design hats to complement her stylish outfits.

At the age of 21, Ms. Willie married Sylvester Copeland and moved to Asheville, NC. During their matrimony, they had one child, Emily. Mrs. Willie worked for Consolidated Hyde and Metal where she learned how to drive a forklift and later an automobile. She also worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital as a Nurse9s Aide.

In 196 1, Ms. Willie moved to Passaic, NJ, where she worked and retired from St. Mary’s Hospital. Asa member and Deaconess at St. Paul Baptist Church, she met and married Clarence Bradley. They were married for 38 years, until his death Sunday, May 12th, 2002. After living in Passaic, NJ for 43 years she moved to Bowie, MD. She also joined Mt Jezreel Baptist Church.

Mrs. Willie loved serving the Lord. Her favorite color was green, and she loved fried oysters from Mike's Crab House in Annapolis, MD. Mrs. Willie was also a long-standing member of the Red Hat Society. She will always be remembered as a hard-working, determined, preserving woman that loved the Lord and her family.

Mrs. Willie is survived by her sister Alma Glenn, Union, SC; daughter, Emily Hargett, Greenbelt, MD; step-son Gary B. Johnson, Passaic, NJ; two granddaughters Angela Davis, Greenbelt, MD, April (Daniel) Crosby, Davidsonville, MD; three great-grandchildren Amani Brooks, Greenbelt, MD, Chase and Gavin Crosby, Davidsonville, MD; two great-great grandchildren Micah and Alijah Newman; and host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and friends!

Arrangements have been entrusted to Community Mortuary, Inc. 361 Meansville Road, Union, SC.

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