Obituary: Debbie Lee Bradford

As received from the Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes:

Debbie Lee Bradford, beloved friend and community leader, went home to Heaven on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, following a lengthy, quiet battle with cancer.

Debbie was born on June 1, 1958 in Flint, Michigan to Shirley (Sigsby) and Jim Bradford. She enjoyed the adventure of growing up as one of the last of 14 children. She especially loved Camping with her family and participating in Girl Scouts, and she relished telling (and embellishing) The stories of those early experiences.

She graduated from Brandon High School in Ortonville, Michigan in 1976. After high school, Debbie Worked as a bookkeeper for a metro Detroit law firm for 11 years and attended Oakland University For Paraprofessional Accounting.

In 1990, Debbie moved up to Houghton, Michigan to work for Bruce Rukkila in his accounting firm (subsequently called Rukkila, Negro and Associates). Through her work, she made friends throughout the Upper Peninsula. Through her volunteer work, she made friends throughout the world. Hosting many Rotary exchange students, leading Girl Scouts, coaching Little League Baseball, serving on the boards of non-profit organizations, and volunteering for Grace United Methodist Church for more than 30 years are just a few of the ways she invested her life in the lives of others.

She enjoyed camping, scrapbooking, reading, and spending time with friends and family. One of her treasured experiences was an epic trip across the country with her mother during Shirley’s later years. They plotted their course to see natural wonders and visit as many relatives as possible. In this and other ways, Debbie kept her family connected.

In addition to her dedication to serving others, Debbie was known for her sense of humor. She had a ready smile, an easy laugh and a twinkle in her eye. She was not intimidated by anyone. Everyone deserved both her respect and her teasing. Her authenticity enabled her to speak truth and have a lasting influence on the lives of many, many people. Debbie loved God, lived for Him and shared Him with others in all that she did.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jim, Shirley Bradford, brother Robert (Connie) Stevens, sisters, Tracy Kendall, Kathy Masters. She is survived by her sisters Mary Morris of Flint, Michigan, Margaret Murphy of Tennessee, Leslie (Gregory) Cornell of Barryton Michigan, Lori (Joe) Fulk of Washington, Karen Haycook of Florida, Vicki Miracle of Michigan and brothers John (Denise) Stevens of Boyne City, Gary (Connie) Stevens of Georgia, Jimmy Bradford of Lum, Michigan, dear friend Mary Rowe, dog Kai, dozens of nieces and nephews (both biological and adopted), and hundreds of pf friends. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 29, 2021, at 12 noon at Grace United Methodist Church in Houghton, MI., followed by a casual gathering to share memories at Houghton Waterfront Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Oak House.

To view Debbie’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.