Asheville Citizen-Times January 27, 1970 B1
Mrs. Clyde Bradley Dies; Political, Civic Worker
Asheville lost one of its most unique and sparkling personalities Monday when Mrs. Clyde W. Bradley, 72, of 23 Chatham Rd., succumbed to cardiac arrest at St. Joseph's Hospital after a long illness.
Long prominent in social, PTA, women's clubs and political activities, Mrs. Bradley was known for her ability to make and keep a myriad of friends and no enemies.
The plump, jolly little woman was a great favorite with the newmen of the Citizen-Times, where she was a constant visitor in her capacity as public-relations woman for the many clubs and groups that claimed her for a member. And if her jolly personality was not enough to smooth the way for her news items, she often brought enough fired chicken, rolls and cookies for the entire staff.
Mrs. Bradley was the wife of the former chairman of the Buncombe County Board of Elections.
Named as The Citizen's "Woman of the Week" in 1962, Mrs. Bradley was then noted for her tireless work on several dozen projects at a time.
She said then she had found the most simple secret of happiness - doing things for others.
Whenever she was depressed, she said, she baked cookies and cakes then went out to call on sick friends with them. Too many times to count, Mrs. Bradley gave aid anonymously to those down and out.
A native of Boone, she was the daughter of Charles William Harmon and Katherine Underwood Harmon and was a direct descendant of the pioneer Daniel Boone.
Long Active in the Buncombe County Democratic Women's Club, she served as liaison officer with the Young Democrats club.
A member of the First Christian Church, she held several church and Sunday School posts. At one time she was chairman of the "City Wide Clean-Up" campaign, and helped the Asheville Junior Chamber of Commerce during polio drives. She was also active in Red Cross and Community Chest activities and with Home Demonstration Clubs.
She had served as first vice president of the Houser Garden Study Club and the "Grandmothers Club." During the old days, she served as the Chamber of Commerce's chairman of the Baby Parade, worked in the Rhododendron Festivals when they held here, and worked in drives to furnish the local schools with band uniforms.
After her daughter, Mrs. Margaret Hudson, died of cancer a few years ago, Mrs. Bradley took an active role in the affairs of the Cancer society.
During World War II, when her son, Clyde Jr., was in a German Prisoner-of-War camp, she founded the "Prisoners-of-War Next-of-Kin Club." For more than a year she sat up late at night writing letters to families and packing food boxes for all the young men she knew. She was a member of the American War Mothers and served as magazine chairman for the organization.
Other interests were the Biltmore Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star and the White Shrine of Jerusalem.
As the registrar of the Fannie Patton Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, she was givien a certificate of award in Memphis, Tenn., from the National UDC for the state division's record of publicity in 1963.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Bradley is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Helen Bradley Anderson of Asheville; two sons, Eckel Bradley of Asheville and Col. Clyde W. Bradley Jr. of Montgomery, Ala.; two sisters, Mrs. B. H. Wells of Asheville and Mrs. Pauline T. H. White of Asheville; nine grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Buncombe County Unit, American Cancer Society, in memory of Mrs. Bradley and her daughter, Mrs. Hudson.
Morris-Hendon Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.