Edwina L. Bradley

Edwina L. Bradley of Columbus, Ohio gained her wings on November 6, 2025.

Edwina Lynette Johnson was born on April 28, 1941, in Jackson, Mississippi, the eldest of two children born to the late Roscoe and Tessola Johnson. The family was later blessed with another addition, Edwina's beloved younger brother, Roscoe Johnson, Jr. In 1943, the family moved to Toledo, Ohio, where Edwina's father found work at The Willys- Overland Plant in Toledo (the birthplace of the Jeep during World War II). As a child, Edwina loved to go to the Friday movies with her brother and father, as her father was a big fan of Westerns. Edwina was a good student and particularly excelled in English and writing. She was a popular student and was active in extracurricular activities, including as a cheerleader for Scott High School.

Drawing on her excellent verbal skills, Edwina chose to pursue a career in education. After high school, she attended Toledo University and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1964. Thereafter, she accepted a position with the Columbus Public School System, where she taught elementary education for several years. As she continued to teach, Edwina attended night school at The Ohio State University to obtain a Master of Science in Education. In her post-graduate studies at Ohio State, Edwina pursued her love for ancient folktales and mythologies from cultures around the world, completing her thesis work on these topics. Reading and collecting many books related to the subject over the years was something she devoted much of her time to.

After several years in the classroom, Edwina was promoted to a city-wide administrative position as a supervisor responsible for the reading curriculum for Columbus Public Schools. She held that position until her retirement in 1996. It was in Columbus, Ohio, that she met the love of her life, Earl G. Bradley, a former IBM salesman and owner of The Place Upstairs restaurant in German Village. They met at a Graduate Panhellenic Conference at the Southern Hotel ballroom. Edwina and Earl married on March 25, 1976, and were devoted partners for 49 years until her passing. They shared a love of good movies, mystery shows, investing clubs, travel, and the Ohio State Buckeyes! They also enjoyed spending quiet time together while they pursued their individual pastimes.

Edwina was a voracious reader who loved biographies and novels. She would joke, however, that while she was a fan of books, she was not a fan of book clubs. Drawing perhaps on her southern origins, Edwina was also an avid gardener and maintained a nice garden of tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash every year for many decades, often sharing the fruits of her labor with family and friends. She also loved the arts and enjoyed going to ballet and stage plays.

Although Edwina never had children of her own, she was a devoted stepmother, grandmother, and aunt (to nephew, Kyle). While visiting with grandma, the grandkids loved having her make them her famous green eggs and ham, which they had previously only read about in Dr. Seuss' book. To get them off to a good start in school, she made sure each of them had a First Readers book when they were preschoolers. Making ice cream for the kids and taking them to the Ohio State Fair, Touch-Me Museum, and COSI were some of Edwina's favorite things to do with the kids. A visit to The Wilds was also a favorite among the grandkids. She and Earl were longtime members of Redeemer Lutheran, where Edwina served as a member of the Offering Counter Team for the Sunday donations. Edwina loved her church family.

Edwina was a delightful person with a quick wit and an ever-present smile. All who knew her will miss her kindness and thoughtfulness. She never took herself too seriously and always managed to find something humorous in the challenges of life and the foibles of humanity. We will always treasure the memory of her wry smile and her chuckle which showed her joy for life. Celebrating her homegoing and treasuring her memory are her husband, Earl Bradley; nephew, Kyle Johnson; stepson, Earl MacFarlane (Damita), and stepdaughter, Deborah Bradley-Galliot. Along with four grandchildren, Jerrod MacFarlane, Jordan MacFarlane, Jasmine MacFarlane, and Robert Galliot, as well as devoted cousins and a collection of close friends made throughout her life.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Friday, November 21, 2025 at Diehl-Whittaker Funeral Service 1370 East Main Street Columbus, Ohio 43205. Memorial Service will take place Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 11:00 am at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1555 South James Road, Columbus 43227.

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