Anna K. Bradley, 94, passed away Feb. 11, 2022 in St. Louis.
She was born May 29, 1927 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to Harry G. and Lydia Bradley.
Ms. Bradley graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1945. After attending Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, she transferred to University of Missouri, Columbia and received a Bachelor of Journalism degree.
While employed by the Murphysboro, Illinois Daily Independent newspaper, she became interested in social welfare, subsequently working for the Illinois Department of Public Aid in Jackson County for five and a half years.
After completing a Master of Social Work Degree from George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University, she worked in state mental hospitals in Anna and Jacksonville, Illinois. In 1963, she became the Director of Social Services at Malcolm Bliss Mental Health Center in St. Louis. During the ensuing years, she was responsible for developing social work-oriented Growth staffing grants to establish community-based Outreach Centers in St. Louis inner city areas. From 1977 to early 1981, she also served as a staff consultant to the Department of Mental Health in developing regional advisory councils to prepare for the establishment of community based mental health clinics in the rural eastern Missouri counties.
Ms. Bradley was active in the National Association of Social Workers, advocating for the licensure of clinical social workers. A bill to create licensure was signed into law in March, 1989, shortly after she retired.
After retirement, Ms. Bradley lived in Poplar Bluff where she was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Women’s Citizenship Council, and the Westwood Hills Country Club. She later returned to St. Louis. She enjoyed golf, fishing, travel, classical music and was a staunch supporter of nature, wild life, and conservation efforts.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Lillian Bock, Harry E. Bradley (“Bus”), Luella Osborne, Alfred J. Bradley, Lorene York, Lena McPheeters, Howard G. (“Ted”) Bradley, Carl R. Bradley, Marie Austin, and Stanley W. Bradley. She is survived by 16 nieces and nephews and a host of loving friends.
She is to be cremated with private burial services at Westwood Hills Memorial Gardens, Poplar Bluff. Memorials may be made to the Nature Conservancy, the Humane Society of Missouri, or a charity of choice.