November 6, 1937 in Pine Forest, Texas in a craftsman style home, that was built by James Cope Bradford only twenty six years before, Newman Ray Bradford took his first breath. He was greeted by his parents Willie Faye Pool Bradford and Aubrey Newman Bradford and his two sisters Audrey and Wilma. Also, there on that day were his grandfather James Cope Bradford and his Great Grandmother who had braved the Civil War, Argent Stephens Bradford. Newman would be blessed with two more siblings Carolyn and Weldon.
Newman was raised on the farm in Hopkins County until his junior year, when the family moved to Dallas. He was not happy about this move but God knew for his plan to be fulfilled the move was necessary.
In a church in Dallas, Texas is where Newman winked at Katherine Altermann and the rest is history. They eloped to Durant Oklahoma six weeks following and were married for fifty-six years until her passing in 2014.
Newman would join his sweet wife Kitty when he went home on March 21, 2021, at his home in Pickton, Texas.
Newman and Kitty’s legacy will continue for generations to come. This is just the beginning:
Their oldest and only son Brad and wife Tonya and children: Adrian and husband Shiloh Childress and children Cade and Madison; Clint Bradford and wife Jodi and children, Tate, Tyce and Georgia; Jeremiah Bradford and wife Magan and children Boone and Jeb.
Their daughter Felicia and her husband Tommy Lewis and children: Tommy Lewis Jr.; Anna and husband Cody Joyner and children Alora and Jackson; Caleb Lewis and his wife Kristen and children Karoline, Kamille and Katie; Meagan and husband Tim Williams and children Lawrence and Katherine.
Their daughter Laura and husband Larry Williamson and children: Alex and husband Cody Weaver and daughter Jenavieve; Shelby Williamson and wife Shannon and daughter Riley; and Landry.
Their daughter Virginia and husband Lee Green and children: Ashten and husband Jacob Boatman and children Emma and Aubrey; Aeron and husband Bradley Wallace and children Brock, Charlie and Brady; Aldyn and husband Anthony Abruscato.
Their daughter Victoria and husband Nolan Butler and children Amelia, Jonas and Cord.
Their daughter Rachel and husband Dean Draper and children: Parey and husband Cody Reed and children Parker Jean and Collins; Dawson, Dean, and Josie.
And many nieces and nephews and a dad to many others.
Newman from an early age took and interest in cattle and as a young teenager bought a couple of Jersey cows to show. That was just the beginning. His love and passion for dairy farming became a reality within a year of his marriage to Kitty, so they packed their bags and headed from Dallas back to the country.
Newman thrived as a young dairyman and was determined to be the best. He continued to show cattle and was involved in many organizations that improved the industry as a whole. His days and nights were spent working to make every effort he could. Hot summers in the hayfield, to cold freezing winters it did not stop him.
Newman was also focused on making the best community and school so he spent years on the school board, water board and volunteer fire department.
He was a member of the League Street Church family.
The pallbearers are his grandsons, Tommy and Caleb Lewis, Clint and Jeremiah Bradford, Shelby and Landry Williamson, Cord and Jonas Butler, and Dawson and Dean Draper.
Honorary pallbearers are Shiloh Childress, Tommy Lewis, Cody Joyner, Tim Williams, Larry Williamson, Cody Weaver, Lee Green, Jacob Boatman, Bradley Wallace, Anthony Abruscato, Nolan Butler, Dean Draper and Cody Reed.
Celebration of Life will be held at Pine Forest Church, on 269 north of Pickton, Texas, on Saturday, March 27 at 3 p.m. Visitation and Hopkins County Stew following the services.
Memorial donations can be made to the Journey Road ministry P.O. Box 157, Pickton, Texas 75471.