Brenard Bradley (Lansing)

Mr. Brenard Bradley passed away Thursday, January 4, 2018 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan. Age 50 years. He was born November 15, 1967 to Mary L. Bradley and Harry Johnson in Lansing, Michigan.

Brother Brenard Bradley was a man of outstanding faith; a true kingdom gatekeeper who had attended numerous church services throughout the city of Lansing; and had stood at every church door during every home going displaying his impeccable service as a welcoming greeter. With his infectious smile and a warm hand shake, Brenard would initiate each conversation with every individual he would encounter, in his discourse he would say: “How you doing? How’s the family? How’s Church?” If you dared to offer a reply regarding the church, his response was always the same: “Honey, we had Churrrrch!” He loved his Lansing Church of God in Christ family, and was especially fond of Bishop Samuel L. Duncan. He had walked endlessly all over the city to pay his final respects to various people who he had met along his life’s journey. This is how he collected numerous obituaries to cherish the memories of those who departed before him. Because Brenard was a stranger to none, he would boldly attend each of these events and always ended with asking some of the attendees, “can I get a ride?” All who knew him also had a genuine love for him as they had witnessed him walking the streets of Lansing. He could be seen walking to and fro with his head down and his keys around his neck. If you called out his name, he would wave and say “Hey!” If you tried to ignore him, you would get a side eye and stare. He would-tell you in a New York minute, “you know me, I’m family honey” and break out laughing. If by chance someone forget to remind him, and he missed a church event, his response was, “I’m mad at you, you didn’t tell me.” Now what matter of man was this? One that God gave us all to know of true faith, a selfless love for mankind and one who loved and trusted the Lord. He was a valiant man. As he would say, “You know I got the C?” His motto was, “God got me.” His faith superseded the doctor’s diagnosis. His testimony and walking faith assures us all that he fought a good fight. Grateful, Grateful, Gratefulness is the song he sang. He truly was grateful. He fought a good fight, finished his course, kept the faith. Now laid up for him is his crown so we salute and honor a man who deserves streets paved in gold. From the pavement of the streets walked in Lansing; the uphill heavy burdened load he overcame and never complained. His lifestyle though quiet didn’t pale the praises he showered on his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Brenard will be sorely missed by all, but we know to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Go on and rest Brother Brenard because your work is done here. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. God sent you to display agape love and you showed it well. Well done good and faithful servant. Well done! Now here is the legacy of one of God’s great gatekeeper. What manner of man is this? Well now, he had made it to his final Homegoing Service except he’s the honoree.

He leaves to cherish his memory his sisters, Felecia Bradley and Denisa Bradley; aunts, Rose (Ed) Richmond and Hazel (Will) Puckett, both of Rockford, Illinois; uncles, Frank Bradley, Thomas Bradley; a host of cousins and friends, including Minister Debra Knight and Evangelist Bertha Hursey, Angels present to assist with Bernard’s walk.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary L. Bradley and Harry Johnson.