Mrs. Ruth U. Bradford departed this life peacefully in her sleep at Pikes Peak Hospice at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado on July 21, 2017. She was the beloved wife of Master Sgt. James Bradford who preceded her in death on May 2, 2017.

Ruth Ursula Bradford (née Joost), was born September 5th, 1929 in Stettin, Germany as the second child out of four children. She moved to Rostock, Germany in 1934 and attended grade school from 1935 to 1939. She completed high school and served an apprenticeship as a milliner from 1947-1949. In an act of bravery, Ruth later fled from the Soviet occupied East Germany to West Germany.

In 1963, she married James Bradford and later moved to the USA. She became a naturalized US citizen in 1976. She earned her real estate license in 1980 and delighted in showing homes. Her personal hobbies included: gardening, bingo, and shopping. Although she had no children of her own, Ruth maintained an avid interest in the welfare of children, especially her nieces and nephews. Everyone who knew Ruth described her as an excellent housekeeper and homemaker.

Mrs. Bradford is survived by a brother, Karl-Heinrich Joost (Carla) of Rethwisch, Germany; a sister, Mrs. Dieta Hartmann of Rostock, Germany; several nieces and nephews: Bernd Hartmann (son of Dieta) with wife Christina and children Kerstin and Peter; Ralf Hartmann (son of Dieta) with wife Carola and children Claudia and Stephan; Tilo Joost (son of Heinrich) with wife Beate and daughter Nina. Other survivors include a brother-in law, General L. Bradford (Maurice) of Takoma Park, MD; and sister-in law, Essie B. Pringle of Fayetteville, NC. Ruth described Mrs. Viola Daniels as her “special best friend”. Additionally, the entire Daniels family was very close with Ruth and her deceased husband. There was also a close relationship with her husband’s nephews, Dr. A. J. Bradford, and Ernest Dicks; and niece, Dr. Mashelle E. Bradford.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 8, 2017, and the funeral service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 9, 2017, both at Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel. Rev. Kevin Anderson of Friendship Baptist Church will be presiding.

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