Willodean Dowdy Bradshaw, 88, of Indianola, passed away Friday, September 29, 2023, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jackson.

Willodean, known affectionately as Deanie, was born July 6, 1935, in Rector, Arkansas, to Varland Guy and Reba Chapman Dowdy. She was raised in Piggott, Arkansas, where she attended school. Deanie was baptized into Christ in July at the age of 12. She married James Bradshaw, at the age of 16, on March 12, 1952, in Piggott, Arkansas,  where they welcomed their first son, James Allen "Jimmy" Bradshaw,  one year later.  In 1955, they welcomed their second son, Darrell, to the family. They made their home in Piggott until moving to the Delta in 1960. In 1964, James and Deanie welcomed their third son, Jamie, to the family. Deanie attended Mississippi Delta Junior College Nursing Program and earned her nursing degree. She went to work at South Sunflower County Hospital in Indianola, where she worked for many years prior to her retirement. She was a member of the Home Demonstration Club and The Garden Club in the late 1960's and 1970's in Indianola and Sunflower. Deanie was a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and most of all a Christian for all of these years. She was a devoted active member of Indianola Church of Christ.

Deanie was preceded in death by her parents, Varland and Reba Dowdy; her beloved husband of 65 years, James Darrell Bradshaw, in 2017; two sons, Jimmy Bradshaw and Darrell Bradshaw; and sister, Kaye Gloe.

She is survived by her son, Jamie (Karri) Bradshaw; sister, Virginia Mannino; nine grandchildren, Tamara Billingsley (Brian); Dee Bradshaw (Mandy), Seth Bradshaw (Sarah), Lauren Austin, Caleb Bradshaw (Terra), Patton Bradshaw, Hunter Bradshaw, Sarah Chapman Bradshaw, and Allen Dowdy Bradshaw; ten great grandchildren, Tristan Bradshaw, Presley Bradshaw, Peyton Bradshaw, Conner Austin, Emerson Austin, Owen Bradshaw, Scarlett Bradshaw, Achilles Bradshaw, Archer Bradshaw, and Emma Moscow; sister, Virginia Mannino; nephews, Joe Mannino; Paul Hedge, Jason Hedge, Matt Hedge and Emery Gloe; and nieces, Tammy Wright and Mandy Hedge.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, October 3, 2023 from 10:00 am until the 11:00 am funeral service at Indianola Church of Christ. Burial will follow in Indianola City Cemetery. Burton Funeral Home of Indianola has been entrusted with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Indianola Church of Christ, PO Box 521, Indianola, MS 38751; Magnolia Messenger, PO Box 1578, Kosciusko, MS 39090; and Children's Home, Inc., 5515 Walcott Rd., Paragould, AR 72450.