Barbara Jean Bradley, 83, Independence, Missouri, passed away on July 26, 2016. She was born December 1, 1932 in Lehigh, Oklahoma to John Smith and Frances Stephens. She was the only child. She was preceded in death by her parents; the love of her life, James E. Pickens; daughter, Joyce Smith Williams and grandchildren, Michelle Smith, Reginald D. Cottner and James Bradley-Piseno. Upon graduation from high school in 1950, she moved to Kansas City, Missouri where she met and married James H. Bradley; the union dissolved. She later met James E. Pickens; this union lasted twenty-six years. After arriving in Kansas City, she met two people who would become lifelong friends, Bernice Crooks and Vivian B. Williams, who both preceded her in death. Barbara held several jobs before starting her career at AT&T, formerly Western Electric, in Lee's Summit, Missouri. She was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union (IBEW). She retired in 1985 after twenty years of service. Barbara accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age. She had been a member of several churches in Kansas City, Missouri, most recently being St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church where she attended until her health began to fail in 2011. Barbara enjoyed listening to good music and good singing. An avid reader, she enjoyed Reader's Digest, Farmer's Almanac, Soap Digest and magazines. She found pleasure in fishing, jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, word search games, playing cards, dominoes, thrift store shopping and trips to Walmart. Affectionately known as 'Miss Barbara' by many, she had an open door policy. Family as well as friends were always welcomed at Miss Barbara's to visit, eat, stay to find refuge and make themselves at home. She loved to cook and have family and friends over for Sunday dinner. She was famous for saying, 'I'll make the dressing and the greens'. She was also known to make sweet potato pie, homemade biscuits, peach cobbler and blackberry cobbler. There was always a hot meal, an easy chair, listening ear and if need be food, clothing and shelter. She touched so many lives with her generosity. Barbara will be missed by so many. She leaves to cherish her memory: her sons, Manuel J. Smith of Riverside, CA, Ronald L. Smith of El Paso, TX, Nevil Smith of Independence, MO, Jim E. Bradley and John P. Bradley of Denver, CO; daughters, Joreen Cottner of Bonner Springs, KS, Janette Smith of Independence, MO and Carolyn D. Bradley of KCMO; twenty-six grandchildren, twenty-five great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be Saturday, August 6, 11:00 a.m. at Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Interment Blue Ridge Lawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the chapel. Services conducted by Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Condolences may be shared on our website.