Mrs. Glenda Joyce Burkes Bradshaw, 85, of Forest passed away peacefully at her home on September 1st, 2026. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 4th from 1-3pm at Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Forest, with the funeral service beginning at 3pm. Burial will take place at Ephesus Baptist Church Cemetery.

Glenda was the first of nine children born in Morton, MS., September 15, 1940, to Gleen and Margie Burkes. Her grandparents were Rachel Baker Jeffcoats of Forkville and Earnest and Ida Stone Burkes of Forest. Growing up in a large family, she learned all the household chores, gardening, and caring for the younger kids.

She grew up in the Ringgold community, attended Ringgold Elementary and Junior High and graduated in 1958 from Morton Attendance Center and Jackson Commercial College in 1959. In Texas, she attended Odessa Jr. College, Alvin Jr. College, College of Mainland in Texas City and Houston Community College.

At Bethel Baptist Church, Forkville, MS, she married Graham Douglas Bradshaw on November 7, 1959. They moved to Texas where they lived and worked for 32 years.

They had no children. After retiring, they moved back to Pearl, MS for 23 years and then built their retirement home in the Ringgold community.

Glenda began her career with AT&T Plant Department in Jackson in February 1959. She transferred with AT&T to Odessa Texas, the same year. In 1964, she and Graham moved to the Galveston area and later to Houston, where she retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in December 1990 after 31 years and 11 months service. She had an interesting career with Bell, working in various departments, Plant, Commercial, Engineering, Personnel, Benefits, Management Development and Public Relations.

Her last longest position was that of Houston area administrator of the Management Development Department where she worked with the college hire and new manager program and traveled throughout the five state SWBT territory coordinating and training new managers on management development courses. She was active in the Telephone Pioneers of America, held several positions including President of San Jacinto Chapter No. 64, Houston, Texas, in 1986, with a total of 6500 members at the time.

Planning trips with the telephone pioneers created a desire to travel.

Glenda's ambition was to move back to MS with her family, build her dream home, and travel. After completing travel school in Houston, she went to work in 1992 for McGehee Travel in Jackson and in January 2001 to Avanti Travel. For the last years, she planned vacations for numerous families who became dear friends. She and Graham have enjoyed traveling extensively. Her favorite destinations were Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and Italy. Some of her fondest memories were trips with her parents and family members. Landscaping and flower gardening were also favorite pastime.

She was a member of the Crossgates United Methodist Church in Brandon where she was associated with the Pathfinders Sunday School Class and United Methodist Women.

After moving to Forest, she became active and enjoyed membership in the Forest Garden Club.

Glenda is preceded in death by her parents, Gleen and Margie Burkes; and three brothers, Larry Burkes, Tony Burkes, and Eddie Burkes.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Graham Bradshaw of 66 years, brothers, Jackie Burkes (Sandra), Danny Burkes (Dianne); sisters, Patsy Bradford (Larry), Peggy Williams (Danny), and Becky Hynes (Dewitt), and a sister-in-law, Mavis Burkes

Serving as pallbearers will be: Kevin Hynes, Lewis Bradford, Chad Williams, Clint Burkes, Fred Wililams, and Ryan Burkes.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Pathfinders Sunday School Class, and Judge Grant.

Ott and Lee Funeral Home of Forest is entrusted with arrangements