Sharon Faye Payne Bradley

Sharon Faye Payne Bradley, age 76, of Branson, Mo., passed away peacefully Sunday, March 10, 2019. She was born September 10, 1942, in Malden, Mo., the daughter of Merle and Nadine (Poole) Payne. Raised on the family farm in the bootheel of Missouri, Sharon learned the value of hard work picking and chopping cotton at an early age. A 1960 graduate of Gideon High School, Sharon found her way to The School of the Ozarks Junior College. She completed her degree in elementary education at Drury University. In her more than thirty years of teaching experience she touched many young lives in Fort Smith and Rogers, Ark. She had a passion for teaching Arkansas and U.S. history, particularly Native American history. Sharon served in many educational leadership positions, including the National Education Association, Arkansas Education Association, Rogers Education Association, Alpha Delta Kappa, and Beta Sigma Phi. She shared many stories, touched many lives throughout the years, and loved her students. With deep appreciation and humility, Sharon recognized the role of then School of the Ozarks, now College of the Ozarks played in setting the course of her life and the lives of many other students. She served on the C of O Board of Trustees for more than 25 years and participated in the C of O Alumni Association. Anyone who met "Miss Sharon" recalls her loving smiles, hugs, and reminder to "kiss both sides" in greeting and parting. Sharon was a teacher at heart, colleague, friend, confidant, prayer warrior, foundation for her family, daughter, sister, wife, and mom. Sharon's most prized titles were "Gramsie" to her grandchildren and "Aner" to her nieces and nephews. With a sense of humor, she shared more than a few stories and quotable quotes. If you have ever met her, chances are, she prayed for you. Sharon Bradley leaves a legacy of her strong faith that can move mountains. She is preceded in death by her husband, Carroll D. Bradley; parents, Merle and Nadine Payne; sister, Mona Lemings and her husband Dub Lemings; sister, June Payne; and two great-nieces, Erin Whittenberg and Darcy Whittenberg. Sharon is survived by her son, Dr. Jeff Bradley and his wife Dr. Heidi Prather Bradley of Chesterfield, Mo.; son, Jason Bradley and his wife Carla Bradley of Hollister, Mo.; five grandchildren, Ethan, Emma, Craigon, Jacie, and Cason Bradley; sister, Gayle Balentine and her husband David Balentine of Murray, Ky.; brother, Kevin Payne of Harviell, Mo.; aunt, Rosie Till of Kennett, Mo.; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Sharon also leaves behind many dear friends and colleagues, including the Friday night group, the Puttkammers, her other "sons" from 21st Street, Gideon High School Class of 1960, S of O Jr. Class of 1962, Drury Class of 1964, fellow teachers from Rogers, Board Members and Trustees at College of the Ozarks, and many more. Memorial Service will be held 2 p.m. March 31, 2019, at Williams Memorial Chapel on the campus of College of the Ozarks, Point Lookout, Mo., with Celebration of Life Reception to follow at the Keeter Center, Point Lookout, Mo. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sharon Bradley Memorial Educational Scholarship Fund at College of the Ozarks. Services and cremation are under the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.cremationsoftheozarks.com.