Sandra Joy Bradbury

Sandra Bradbury of Houston, Texas passed away on February 3 at the age of 84 in Lilburn, Georgia. She was born Sandra Joy Davis on January 16, 1940, in Austin, Texas, and grew up in Alice, Texas with her parents and sister before starting college at A&I Kingsville. She was selected to work for Dean Rusk in Washington DC at the office of secretary of state in the 1960s. Sandra recalled often, “I loved working there, but people quit talking to me after JFK was assassinated because they knew I was from Texas.”

She returned to Houston where she focused on cultivating her artistic side and life as a working woman. Sandra was married to Brad Bradbury for 17 years and they had one daughter, Paige Bradbury Kolb, who they raised in Deer Park and in Bellville, Texas during the 1970s and 1980s.

Art, adventure, and generosity to friends were always a part of Sandra’s life. During the 1990s, she was involved with the Bellville Historical Society and directed plays for the Little Country Theatre prior to retiring from Shell Oil and moving to Asheville, North Carolina. Here is where she spent her happiest years.

Upon arriving in Asheville in 1999, Sandra quickly immersed herself in local organizations like New Friends of Asheville, Red Hat Ladies, community activities in her neighborhood, storytelling guilds, the arts scene, and local theatre groups. She found a home at North Carolina Stage Company as stage manager for a few years, was a passionate patron, and served on their board of directors.

Her home was a literal art gallery of interesting artwork and collections. Sandra hosted many Johnny Depp movie nights and other events in her home and would often be out hunting down the best hamburger in Western North Carolina, lunching with friends, old and new.

She rediscovered her love of singing in the early 2010s by joining the alto section of the choir group, Womansong. Sandra was a beloved member and supporter for years.

She is preceded in death by her parents Dr. Winfred and Elna Davis. She is survived by her daughter, Paige, two grandchildren, Adam Kolb and Sophia Kolb, her sister, Sherry Constantino, and several cousins.

The family would like to thank the staff at Sunrise at Five Forks Assisted Living and Agape Hospice Care in Lilburn, Georgia for the care and compassion they showed us during Sandra’s journey through dementia.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Sandra’s honor to Womansong’s New Start Fund. Sandra was deeply passionate about the program, which supports women in Western North Carolina who are on a path to greater self-sufficiency. Contributions can be made by check to Womansong of Asheville, PO Box 61, Asheville, NC 28802, through PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CA2KJZGE9YHEE, or by selecting the purple “donate” button at the bottom of the Womansong website https://womansong.org/. Please write “New Start Fund – Sandra Bradbury” in the memo line if you choose to give in her honor.

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life service for Sandra in Asheville this coming May. Details will be circulated among family and friends. It will certainly be a party, which is the only way Sandra would have wanted it.