Carolyn Martin Bradham

Carolyn Martin Bradham, age 89 of Hazel, KY, died Sunday June 25, 2023, at The Farms of Puryear in Puryear, TN.

She attended Childersburg High School where she played on the basketball and softball teams.  She loved reading and studying history. Carolyn graduated from Lutheran School of Nursing in 1968, and later attended U.T. Martin to work on receiving her RN degree.  She started her nursing career at Parma Hospital in Ohio, working in the coronary care unit.  In 1972, the family moved to Paris, TN and she went to work at Henry County Medical Center, where she would play a key role in the starting and development of a new coronary care unit.  She retired from HCMC and then later would return to work at Paris Manor Nursing Home, where she eventually took over the instruction of their CNA certification program.  Carolyn was very proud of her students and always felt they were prepared for the job.  She was very proud to be a nurse and worked hard to help her patients.  Carolyn always felt that nursing was truly her calling and always encouraged her students to continue their education to obtain their nursing degree.  She loved watching the Lady Vols basketball and softball teams, and spending time with her dog Annie.  Those who knew Carolyn loved her.

Carolyn was born on July 30, 1933, in Birmingham, AL, to the late Roscoe W. Martin and late Alice Evans Martin.

She married Leon Charles Bradham in Augusta, GA, on April 11, 1954, and he preceded her in death on October 21, 1981.

She is survived by two sons, Charles Mark Bradham of Hazel, KY, and Thomas Pat (Elizabeth) Bradham of Paris, TN; one granddaughter, Meredith (Johny) St. John of Paris whom she was very proud of; three great grandchildren, Marley, Margo, and JB St. John who brought her much joy and happiness.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one sister, Linda McClure; and two brothers, Pat Martin and Tom Martin.
Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap St. Paris, TN.  Visitation will be Wednesday, June 28, 2023, from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at Ridgeway Funeral Home, and continue Thursday, June 29, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. –11:00 a.m. at Ridgeway Funeral Home.  The funeral service will be Thursday June 29, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Ridgeway Funeral Home, with John Dale officiating. 

Serving as pallbearers will be Tony Raspberry, Gary Ed Raspberry, Donald Dunning, Drew Williams, Johny St. John, and Pat Bradham.

Burial will be in Memorial Cemetery in Paris, TN.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.