Barbara Bradshaw

Barbara Louise Cooper Bradshaw, born on August 25, 1937 in Chandler, Oklahoma, passed away on April 2, 2024 in Missoula, Montana after a prolonged struggle with her health. She is loved, valued, respected and greatly missed.

A long-time teacher at the Philipsburg, Montana elementary school, Barbara grew up in Oklahoma with her parents, William Taylor Cooper and Margaret Louise Ledsinger, who proceeded her in death, and her two brothers, Billie Lewis Cooper and Joe Ben Cooper.

During World Ward II, Barbara, along with her mother and brothers, moved to Elmore City, Oklahoma to live with her grandparents, Thad and Kate Ledsinger. At this time her father was stationed in Little Rock, Arkansas where he trained pilots for the military.

Following the war, the Cooper Family moved to Wynnewood, Oklahoma where Barbara attended elementary and high school, graduating in 1955. While in school, Barbara was active in numerous extracurricular activities, including playing the tenor saxophone in the band and marching band. Barbara was also an active member of the Wynnewood Baptist Church.

After high school, Barbara attended the Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma for one year. After transferring to East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma, she graduated with a degree in elementary education and a minor in mathematics.

Wanting to see more of the country and having an adventurous soul, Barbara accepted teaching positions in Jonesville, Michigan and then in Nome, Alaska. It was while teaching elementary school in Alaska that she met her future husband, John Allen Bradshaw of Drummond, Montana, who was also teaching school in Nome.

In 1962, Barbara and Allen moved to Montana where Barbara accepted a teaching position in Whitefish, Montana and Allen started law school at the University of Montana in Missoula. While living in Whitefish, Barbara was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Over the years she accepted numerous church callings and assignments, including teaching and various leadership positions.

Barbara and Allen were married at the Bradshaw family ranch south of Drummond, Montana on December 22, 1962. On July 25, 1964 they were sealed in eternal marriage in the Cardston, Alberta Canada Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

After getting married, Barbara taught elementary school in Missoula, Montana and Cut Bank, Montana. Barbara finished her career by teaching for 18 years at the elementary school in Philipsburg, Montana. During that time she completed a number of post-graduate classes to enhance her teaching knowledge and skills. Barbara loved teaching and her students. Her favorite grade to teach was the sixth grade. Barbara's students also loved her, with many staying in contact with her long after they graduated.

Barbara was a loving wife and mother and kept busy raising six kids. During the summer she took the kids on road trips to Canada, Mexico, numerous national parks and her favorite place, Oklahoma. She planned memorable birthday parties for her kids that featured numerous activities and birthday cakes in the shape of animals. She loved putting together puzzles and playing board games with her family, and spent countless hours playing Skip-Bo with Allen, her kids and her grandkids. Barbara was an excellent grandmother who was always ready with an invitation to help her pit cherries or shell peas, play a game or solve a puzzle.

Barbara enjoyed numerous activities, such as playing the piano, leading, directing and singing in choirs, teaching classes at church, reading, sewing, quilting, needle work, painting landscapes and making wall hangings. She was an excellent cook and collected recipes wherever she went. She also enjoyed gardening and always had a beautiful garden of her favorite flowers.

Barbara especially loved cats. She took care of many strays over the years, including their medical care. She had a penchant for naming her beloved house cats after characters in her favorite books. Her last three cats were Mrs. Weasley, Snitch and Snape.

After retiring from teaching in Philipsburg, Barbara and Allen moved to the Bradshaw family ranch outside Drummond. Barbara is survived by her husband, Allen, her six children - John Stuart Bradshaw (Kelle), Sheldon Taylor Bradshaw (Corine), Danelle Rae Murphy (Brent), Glenda Alyce Bradshaw, Diena Rochelle Bradshaw and Blaine Cooper Bradshaw (Shondel) - her seventeen grandchildren and her eight great-grandchildren.

Following a graveside service on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, Barbara will be buried in the family plot at Valley Cemetery in New Chicago. Her family will hold a memorial service celebrating her life at a later date.