Duane R. “Doc” Bradford
On Sunday, January 15, 2017, Duane R. “Doc” Bradford went to be with his Savior. Doc was born on March 5, 1950 to Charles Keith Bradford, Sr. and Inez Honea Bradford of Simpson County. Doc spent his younger years growing up in the Bridgeport/Rockport community. He attended New Hebron Elementary School, Clarksdale/Tunica Junior High School and graduated from New Hebron High School in 1968. Doc graduated from the William Skinner Police Academy and Training Center in 1971 and from the DEA Academy in 1977. He then joined the Jackson Police Department as a patrolman and spent most of his career as a part of the Vice and Narcotics Division; he also served as training officer during his long career. Doc retired after twenty years with the Jackson Police Department and served with several law enforcement groups post retirement, including: Florence PD, Copiah County Sheriff’s Department and New Hebron PD, as well as the State of Mississippi Auditor’s Office and the Mississippi Gaming Commission. He recently retired from the State Auditor’s Office. Doc served as the Sheriff of Lawrence County for four years.
Doc was ordained as a minister in 1984. He served several area churches. Those were Palestine Baptist Church in Simpson County, Bethlehem Baptist in Simpson County, Shalom Baptist Church in Lawrence County and Shivers Baptist Church in Simpson County, as well as serving as guest pastor and singer for many area churches. Along with his best friend, pastor Chuck King, Davis Road Baptist Church was begun. His service as pastor was always hallmarked with his intense love for and commitment to Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God. He was a continual humble witness and the Gospel was always the priority of his conversations with everyone he knew and everyone he met. He never met a stranger. God brought the love of his life, Wanda Dale Davis Bradford, into his life while they were yet teenagers. They were married for 46 years. She was his other half, and they stood as one in the raising of their two children, Stacie Michelle Bradford and Garrett Latham Bradford. Their beloved daughter Stacie went to be with the Lord in 1990.
Doc is survived by his wife, Wanda; his son, Garrett; daughter-in-law, Ashley; grandsons Jace, Landon and Raylan; his brother, Keith Bradford (Mary Sue); his sister, Debra Bradford Raddin and many beloved Bradford and Davis family members.
