Donna Marie Bradford

Donna Marie Bradford, 67, of Sedalia, Missouri, passed away March 1, 2026, at University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.

Donna was born in Sedalia, Missouri, the daughter of Betty Lyles and Raymond Curd.

Donna received her education in Sedalia, where she began her schooling at C.C. Hubbard School and later graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in 1977. From a young age, Donna knew she wanted to be a nurse so she could help her family and care for others. To pursue this ambition, she completed the Licensed Practical Nursing program at State Fair Community College. Following graduation, Donna began her career with Bothwell Regional Health Center, where she spent the majority of her thirty-year career as an endoscopy nurse before retiring in 2010. In addition to her work at the hospital, Donna also served as a charge nurse at Fairview Nursing Home in Sedalia for 25 years.

On September 6, 1981, Donna was united in marriage to George Bradford, who survives of the home. Together they shared 44 years of marriage.

From early childhood, Donna was an active member of Taylor Chapel United Methodist Church. She was a very talented artist who could draw people, objects, and buildings to scale. Donna enjoyed sewing, cooking, and hosting holiday gatherings, special occasions, and family barbecues. She especially enjoyed spending Sundays watching her Kansas City Chiefs play. In her free time, she also enjoyed shopping on QVC for treasures that caught her eye.

More than anything, Donna loved her grandchildren. Before health issues limited her, she attended their birthday parties and sporting events whenever possible. Donna was a caring and giving person who made sure her home was always welcoming to family and friends. She was one of the most selfless people you could meet, always putting the needs of others before her own.

In addition to her husband, Donna is survived by her father, Raymond Curd of Knoxville, Tennessee; two sons, Ben Lyles (Beth) and Domanick Bradford (Maria); two brothers, William Gunnerson and Travis Stevens (Jennifer), all of Sedalia, Missouri; two sisters, Mary Maupins (Ricky) of Jefferson City, Missouri, and Francesca Curd-Nance of Nashville, Tennessee; nine grandchildren; one great-grandson; one great-granddaughter expected this month; and five nieces and two nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Rachelle Renee Styles; her mother, Betty Lyles; her grandparents, Janie and John Lyles and Vissie and Lewis Curd; stepmother, Lillian Curd; two sisters, Patricia Lyles and Velinda Sue White; and two brothers, Maurice White and Michael White; and one niece, Tierra White.

Donna will be dearly missed by all who knew her for the kind, loving, and compassionate person she was.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 am Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Heckart Funeral Home with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 am. Rev. Calvin Pritchard will officiate.

Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery at a later date.

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