Virginia J. Bradshaw

Virginia Jean Bradshaw, 96, passed away peacefully Friday, June 2, 2023 at Presbyterian Manor in Parsons, Kansas.  Her body was just worn out. She was born April 11, 1927 in Judsonia, Arkansas to Roy Max and Saphlonia Minnie (Elms) Rundle. Virginia was a lifelong, faithful member of the Church of Christ having come to the Lord at an early age.

Virginia and her sister Elsie had lost both of their parents just before she turned 10.  The two girls were cared for by their stepmother, Dora (Kimbro) Rundle, for a time, but then were grafted into the family of their aunt and uncle, Flo and Jesse Hinton of St. Louis, Missouri in 1938. As was common during the great depression, the household was full of not only her aunt and uncle's three children but also Aunt Flo's sister and her two children and now two more children. Throughout her high school years, Virginia worked at a variety of jobs including National Candy Factory, Forum Cafeteria, and Princess Garder Wallets to supply money for not only her personal necessities but to also contribute to the household income. After graduating high school in 1945, she found employment in the routing department at Boatmen's National Bank.

Always a strong, independent woman, when her sister Elsie moved to Kansas to marry the soldier that she had met in St. Louis during WWII, Virginia moved to Wichita to be near her gaining employment with Fourth National Bank.  The move enabled her to meet Charles W. Bradshaw, a cousin of Wilford Mathes, the soldier her sister had married. Virginia enjoyed riding Charlie's motorcycle with him and they were wed a year later on August 8, 1948. It wasn't until the third child was on the way that they bought a car. We wish we had a picture of the four of them on the motorcycle with John in front of Dad and Paul being held by Mom on back. Times were different.

The family moved to Parsons in 1962. Virginia was homemaker, mother, and Charlie's assistant in his Western Auto Store.  Virginia also worked in various other jobs over the years including as a cook at Meadow View Grade School, a cook at Parsons State Hospital and Training Center, Peter Pan Ice Cream Store, and Pfeiffer's Jewelry.

After raising five children, Virginia and Charlie logged many miles of happy travelling together as they visited all 48 of the contiguous United States, but not on a motorcycle.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Bradshaw; her son, John Bradshaw; her daughter, Deanna Jones, her grandson, Brian Bradshaw; and her sister, Elsie Mathes.

Although orphaned as a child, Virginia and Charlie have left behind a robust family including son, Paul Bradshaw and wife Mary of Lyons, Oregon; daughter Cathy Hudson and husband Gailen of Springdale, Arkansas; daughter Connie Nobles and husband Dan of Independence, Kansas, and daughter-in-law Peggy Bradshaw of Independence, MO; 11 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren along with one great-great grandchild.

A private family burial was held Tuesday, June 6, 2023.  Memorials are suggested to Hope Harbor of Claremore, OK.  Contributions may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, Kansas 67357.