Billye Bankston Bradley

Billye Bankston Bradley went to meet her Savior on Friday, March 16, 2018, at 89 years of age. She was born May 10, 1928, to Leslie Charles Bankston and Beatrice Jordan Bankston. Her final, peaceful moments were spent with her immediate family at Eastland Memorial Hospital. Billye’s life was a testament of God’s love, and her kindness and generosity will live on for generations in the countless lives she touched.

She is survived by her brother Jeffrey Bankston; three children, Leslie Bradley Keffer and husband Jim, ET Bradley and wife Anna, Jeff Bradley and wife Vicki; grandchildren Brad Keffer and Carlie Fraser, Chris Keffer and wife Ashley, Rob Keffer and Anthony Rine, Madison Bradley, Miles Bradley, Lexi Whaley, Payton Whaley; and great-grandchildren Brooklyn and Braxton Keffer. We can only imagine the reunion in heaven with her husband of 57 years, Earl Bradley, her loving daughter Jenni Bradley Ford, and beloved grandson, Gene Bradley.

Billye attended the University of Houston where she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and was named Outstanding Freshman Woman. It was there she also met the love of her life, Earl. They were married on June 4, 1948, and then set off on a six-week honeymoon in Havana, Cuba where they attended the University of Havana.

She was the heart and soul of her family and the guiding spirit of EBAA Iron—the iron foundry she started with Earl which grew to over 400 employees with locations in Eastland and Albany, TX, and Cordele, Georgia. Her impact on her local community was immeasurable. She was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Eastland, the Eastland Civic League, and was the first associate teaching director of Eastland County Community Bible Study in which she continued to be active in for over 25 years. She was passionate about charitable giving and her many philanthropies included Eastland Memorial Hospital, West Texas Rehabilitation Center, Baylor Health Center, Reformed Theological Seminary, Dallas Theological Seminary, Presbyterian Children’s Home and many more. Today, we feel death’s sting but rejoice in knowing her victory in Christ’s saving grace.

The family is grateful for Drs. Robert and Valerie DeLuca, Ted Matthews and the excellent nursing staff at Eastland Memorial Hospital. Also, we are especially thankful for her at-home caregivers Eduarda, Maricelia, Estela, Judy and Bea. In
lieu of flowers, donations may be made to West Texas Rehab Center, 4601 Hartford St., Abilene, TX, 79605 and Presbyterian Children’s Home, 5920 West William Cannon, Building 3, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78749.