Mary Frances Lane Bradley

Mary Frances Lane Bradley, 85 years young, died on Sunday, December 22, 2019 after a long, brave battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Born to the late Edward Benson Lane and Angie Hawkins Lane, she was the third child of four.  Her other siblings preceded her death: sister, Nina Lane Hogan; and brothers, Ed Lane, Jr. and Richard Lane.  In addition to her parents and siblings, Mary’s beloved husband of 62 years, Bob Bradley, passed away on November 17, 2019.

Over the years, she loved picnics and family gatherings with her family. She loved Christmas and was known for making the Lane family mustard and pineapple cookies for the day.  She was also known for her chicken salad.

At an early age Mary knew she wanted to be a nurse.  She attended Gaston Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, where she served as class president.  She retired from the former Grace Hospital, and later from the Burke County Public Health Department.  She loved both kinds of nursing, especially bedside nursing.  During her service at Public Health she worked in many of the public elementary schools and in the maternity clinics.  

All her life Mary was a member of North Morganton United Methodist Church.  She served in many roles-active in United Methodist Women and on several committees.  For many years Mary and her niece, Linda, were Sunday school teachers.  She was one of the original members of the Handbell Choir, the Wednesday Prayer Group, and Monday Women’s Coffee Group.  Mary was an active volunteer over the years.  She helped with Girl Scouts, the Burke AARP, Burke United Christian Ministries Soup Kitchen, Meals on Wheels, and CoMMA Blue Blazers.

She is survived by her daughters, Debbie, Kim and Mary. She especially loved her grandsons, Benson and wife, Jesie, and Andrew and wife, Katie.   She is also survived by her great-granddaughter, Adalie.  Even in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s she always seemed to recognize them, and was a grandma again when she saw Adalie.  She is also survived by numerous nieces.  She was especially close to her niece, Martha Hogan Jump, who was flower girl in her wedding; and her namesake, Linda Frances Hogan Snell.  Both visited Mary and Bob, and during their childhood, The Hogans and Bradleys spent a lot of time together.

Special thanks are given to Dr. John Dembski and his staff, and the staff at the Berkeley Assisted Living Center for their care and kindness.

Memorials may be made to North Morganton United Methodist Church or Friends of the Burke County Public Library.

A celebration of Mary’s life will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, December 27, 2019 at North Morganton United Methodist Church with Rev. Burt Williams officiating.  The family will greet friends in the fellowship hall following the service.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.