Sister Doretha Jenkins Bradley

The life of Sister Doretha Jenkins Bradley began on August 20, 1937, in Ocala, Florida. She was the youngest daughter of Frank Jenkins Jr. and Vera Mae Jenkins. At an early age, Doretha accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

She graduated from Belleview-Santos High School in 1956 and attended Hampton Junior College. In the early 1970s, she moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, where she began teaching early childhood education at Lincoln Elementary School. Although she did not have children of her own, many of her students became like children to her.

Shortly after moving to West Palm Beach, she met Cleophus (Cleve) Bradley. After several years of courtship, they were married in 1974 and made their home in West Palm Beach, Florida. Cleve and Doretha remained married for 40 years, until his passing in 2014. She was a faithful church member for many years at Greater Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church, West Palm Beach, FL.

After relocating back to Ocala, she built a community of family and friends with whom she enjoyed spending time. She rejoined New Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church and remained a faithful member until her health began to decline.

Doretha was known for dressing well and enjoying the finer things in life. However, she also had a love for birds, which brought her great joy. She owned two parakeets and cared for them until her transition.

On September 14, 2026, God wrapped his arms around Sis. Doretha and whispered, “Come to me”. Like the birds she loved so much her winged flight from this world of sin, sorrow, and pain to a place of eternal rest.

She was united with her parents, the late Frank and Vera Mae Jenkins; husband, the late Cleophus Cleve Bradley; brother, the late Frank Jenkins, Jr., and nephew, Frank Jenkins, III.

Sister Doretha Jenkins Bradley leaves to rejoice in her home-going celebration her nephew, Keith Jenkins (Takayo) of Ocala, Florida; her niece, Kim Jenkins of Atlanta, Georgia; her great-niece, Elisa Valera of Atlanta, Georgia; and her great-great-niece, Vega Patton of Atlanta, Georgia. She is also survived by a host of cousins and friends.