Merlin Bradley

Merlin Bradley, age 82, of Gordon, Kentucky, received his Heavenly reward on Friday, December 1, 2023, at the Greg and Noreen Wells Hospice Care Center in Hazard, Kentucky, while surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Bradley was born on September 29, 1941, to the union of his late parents, Charlie and Cannie Cornett Bradley in Gordon, Kentucky.  He achieved a master’s degree in education, became a top-notch educator, coach and bus driver for the Letcher County Board of Education for over 32 years.  He worked at the Kingdom Come School and in 1978, became the first coach there to ever start a girls’ basketball team.  He had been a board member and volunteer at the Gordon Fire Department for many years.  He took an extreme amount of pride in everything he had done. 

He wore many hats throughout his life:   devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend, educator, coach, and mentor.   He enjoyed fishing, riding four-wheelers, attending antique car shows, Western movies, sports of any kind, was an avid University of Kentucky Wildcat Basketball fan and member of the Coyle’s Branch Baptist Church in Gordon, Kentucky.

He is also preceded in death by his loving wife, Reneva Sparkman Bradley.

He leaves to cherish his memory, son, Charles Stacey (Sandy) Bradley of Gordon, Kentucky, Kim “Susie” (Bradley) Cornett of Cumberland, Kentucky, grandchildren, Philip (Lacey) Gilliam, Nathaniel Gilliam, Whitney (Blake) Polson, Mckinley Bradley, Hunter Cornett, Dylan (Dacey) Cornett, great grandchildren, Madelynn Polson, Stella and Piper Gilliam, Kylee, Kinnon and Kylan Cornett, his 2 fur babies, Little Foot and Pixi.

Mr. Bradley was a faithful, dedicated servant of God, he was humble, he persevered, he was prepared and strived every day to be the best man possible.  Our loss is Heaven’s gain.  He enriched so many people’s lives and for that, we will be eternally grateful.

Matthew 25:21  KJV
His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant:  thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:  enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Graveside services will be held Sunday, December 3, 2023, beginning at 1 p.m. at the Little Joe Cornett Cemetery in Gordon, Kentucky with Brother Mark Lewis and Brother Glenn Cornett officiating.

Cumberland Valley Funeral Home is Honored to Serve the Bradley Family.

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