Jo Bradley

Jo Nell Matthews Bradley passed away on August 9, 2021 in Fort Worth, Texas at the age of 88 shortly after the death of her husband.

Jo Nell was born on May 27, 1933 in Childress, Texas, to Joe Robert Matthews and Ethel Edell Alexander Matthews, and she was lovingly called “Joby” by her family.  She graduated from Childress High School in 1951.  After graduation, Jo Nell worked at several businesses in her hometown, including The Childress Reporter, Kimbell Childress Company, Preston Insurance Agency, and Gate City Electric.

Jo Nell met Don Bradley in Childress, and they were married there on May 30, 1958.  Their first home together was in Denton while Don completed his studies at North Texas State University.  The two then moved to Odessa, Texas in 1959, and they made Odessa their home for 60 years.  Jo Nell enjoyed sewing clothes for her children, and she served as a den mother for her son’s Cub Scout troop.  After her children moved on, she chose to go to work as a Teacher’s Aide at Gonzales Elementary School, the same school where both of her children had attended.

Jo Nell and Don were members of Immanuel Baptist Church for many years, where Jo Nell worked in the Sunday School office.  More recently they were members at First Baptist Church of Odessa, and in both churches they gained enduring friendships in their Sunday school classes.

In their retirement years, Jo Nell and Don enjoyed being season ticket holders to the Permian Panthers football games, and regularly took road trips to watch MOJO in the football playoffs. They enjoyed traveling with Jo Nell’s sister and brother-in-law to Branson, Las Vegas, or other points of interest.

Jo Nell was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Ina Mae Webb and Lavoice Lewis; and her loving husband of 63 years, Don.

She is survived by her son, Joe Don Bradley of Houston; her daughter, Deedra Jones and husband Terry of Benbrook; two nieces, Jo Carole Dickson and Jackie Flood; a nephew, Rodney Lewis; and numerous grand nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held Friday, August 13, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Childress Cemetery in Childress, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Meals on Wheels or the charity of your choice.