On August 24, 2022, Sheila Bradbury of Steelville, Missouri passed away at the age of 80 years and 2 months at her daughter’s Home in Claremore, Oklahoma.
Sheila was born in Tacoma, Washington. She enlisted in the Air Force and served as a Communications Officer at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado. Sheila met William “Bill” Spurgeon while serving in the Air Force. She married Bill on October 9, 1961. During that time, Sheila was facing a situation of grave danger and needed to be moved somewhere safe. The safest place Bill knew was Steelville, Missouri. The Air Force gave them both their Honorable Discharge at the same time so they could move to Steelville where Sheila could be shielded and kept safe. Steelville became her safe place.
Sheila adopted one daughter, Valerie Thomas, when Valerie was 22 days old.
Sheila was a true Servant. She served in some capacity during her whole life in Steelville. She helped begin and operate the Steelville Ambulance for over 17 years. She was a Girl Scout Leader in Steelville for 23 years. She was a Chamber of Commerce Volunteer for several years. She helped start the Red Cross Chapter in Steelville and Volunteered many hours in that role. Sheila advocated fiercely for people’s right to live independently in their homes. She served on the Board at Disabled Citizens Alliance for Independence, DCAI, in Viburnum, for many years. She provided a safe space for victims of domestic violence until she could find them their own safe space in another place. She started the Golden Girls Club in Steelville for women who met monthly for lunch and supported each other. She was an Alderwoman, an occasional Volunteer Firefighter and serving in other roles too numerous to mention.
Sheila is survived by one daughter, Valerie Thomas, and husband Chip of Claremore, Oklahoma. She had one brother, the late Gary White, and one Cousin who was like her sister, Rebecca Anderson, of Buckley Washington. She was like a mother to Armand Zefferi, who she called her Son, and his wife Angie and their daughter, Mya, of Steelville, Missouri. She had three granddaughters, Jay Thomas of Cuba, Missouri, and Leah Nevills and Rachel McCain of Oklahoma. She had two great-grandchildren, Ian and Brooklyn. She had best friends Judy Adams of Steelville, MO, Pat Pullman of Lynnwood, WA, Vickie Moss of Cuba, MO, the Golden Girls of Steelville. She was a friend to many. Most of all, Sheila had the Heart of a Servant. She served the Community of Steelville out of gratitude for the safety the town provided her when she needed it most. She chose to give back, and that she did. She left her mark on the town of Steelville, and she will be missed.
Sheila donated her body to Science as one last act of Service. In lieu of a Memorial Service, she said it would be more valuable for people to Volunteer an hour of Service to someone or some place in Steelville in her honor. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Steelville Dog Pound in her name c/o of Britton-Bennett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 457, Steelville, MO 65565.
The Bradbury Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.
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