Uncrowned Community Builders

Bradie Lee Winrow was born on July 7, 1927. She is the eldest of the eleven children of Arlander and Ollie M. Miller. Bradie has five sisters and five brothers, all are still living. Her parents are deceased.

Bradie grew up in Earlsboro, Oklahoma. Her early life was greatly influenced by her mother's teachings. Her Mama always told her "Even though we are poor, you don't have to be nasty. Let your word be your bond. Make your bed and don't sit on it. Wash dishes after what we had to eat.ââ?¬ And "It isn't the amount of money you make; it is how you spend it." Her Mama died at the age of 41 years old with cancer. However, she certainly left some life-long legends to keep Bradie going in life.

Bradie walked a mile one way to a country school because the Earlsboro Town School wouldn't let "colored" go there. After the 8th grade, she had to ride a bus to Shawnee to a "colored" school called Dunbar. This was over 13 miles every day one way, all walking and busing. During her high school years, Bradie had a job working as a domestic and baby sitter. She lived in the back room of her employer's house and earned $.25 an hour. She graduated from Dunbar in May, 1946.

Bradie went to St. Louis, Missouri to stay with her Aunt Alberta Blakney, who is in her 90's now, and with Uncle William Blakney, who is now deceased. They were very kind to her. She had an opportunity to go to college, but wouldn't go since her Mama was going to have the 11th child. Her aunt told her since she wouldn't go to college; she was sending her back to Earlsboro to help her Mama with the little sisters and brothers. This was 1947, and her Mama died the next year .Aunt Rosa promised Mama that if something happened to her, she would take all 11 of the children and raise them. Bradie was married then, and one of the brothers was in the service, so Aunt Rosa and her husband had just 9 children to raise. What a responsibility! We all love them for what they did.

During her 28 years of marriage, Bradie had 3 sons and 1 daughter, Billy Joe, 49, Gary Lee, 47, Archile Jr., 44, and LaDonna Sue Webber Booker, 41. Bradie lived at 617 S. Bell the whole 28 years of marriage. She was a wife, mother and housekeeper until her daughter was in the 4th grade. Mr. George Word hired her as teacher's aide. The teacher that she worked with was Theresa Farthing.

Dunbar was an Elementary School then. High school pupils were integrated at Shawnee High School. When Dunbar got the same equipment to teach children and a fence around the playground like all the elementary schools, the system closed Dunbar and sent the East side of Bell Street across the tracks to Franklin Elementary School, and the West side of Bell Street to Washington Elementary School. Eventually Dunbar School was torn down, although it had one of the best gyms in Shawnee. Bradie was hired to be the Secretary at Franklin School. She was there for 10 years and during that time she received a golden opportunity to further her education. A government program called ââ?¬Å?Follow Thru", allowed aides of the Shawnee Public School System to be employed and attend college. Bradie attended St Gregory's College and graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University with two degrees. After graduation, she taught kindergarten for 14 years. This was a wonderful blessing in her life.

In 1976, Bradie divorced her children's father and moved to 112 N. Pesotum with God's gracious help. There were so many miracles, only a believer would understand. Two brand new cars and lots of remodeling, getting anything she wanted. She didn't ever realize a cotton-picking girl would go this far in life. Bradie is an individual who sets goals. To feel rich, not only feel rich but be rich from where she came from.

One of Bradie's hobbies is fishing, and in the fall, she does catch them. She likes to talk to people about God's goodness and blessings, and He does give to all of us. When her children were growing up, one teacher, Ms. Lawrence, took the oldest son to Sunday School. It hit Bradie, "why shouldn't I go too?ââ?¬ So she did, and after sometime their dad joined them. Being involved in church and with children helped her to get a job in the Shawnee Public School System.

Bradie retired in May 1991 after 24 years with the Shawnee Public School System. This gave her some time to go fishing and do some volunteer work; Reading to Head Starters, tutoring literacy, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Mentor, Dunbar National Alumni Association Treasurer, Board member of AARP, member of OREA, RSVP and BPW(Business & Professional Women) Cartwright Hi-Noon, Commissioner on the SURA (Shawnee Urban Renewal Association) Board, BPW Treasurer, President of Literacy Council, Coordinator of Coalition for the Advancement for Self-Sufficiency, nominee for Teacher of the Year in the 1980's, and Secretary for DNAA and AARP. She is involved in more community activities. She was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church of Shawnee, Oklahoma and now has a new church home, Rock Creek Baptist Church.

In 1999, Bradie became the Ward IV Shawnee City Commissioner. "This position will be an experience of learning and respecting each citizen of Shawnee, Oklahoma. I am really Blessed.ââ?¬ Bradie has also served as a member of the Shawnee Board of Education from 2001-2002. Bradie has continued to receive ââ?¬Å?MORE BLESSINGSââ?¬ in her life. She was hired to assist four first grade teachers with their ââ?¬Å?Reading Skillsââ?¬. The Principal called her an Asset to the building. This is her fourth year in that position.

Bradie asked The Lord for a better place to live and The Lord made a way for a ââ?¬Å?better placeââ?¬ and now the house where Bradie lived for over thirty-years is for sale. She has a "special friend" who makes her laugh. She also has a sister who lives in this city who makes her laugh and they play cards and dominoes for FUN. They also do a lot of eating. She has a brother who lives in Del City that calls early in the morning, even after he married recently. She told him "stop calling me so much and talk to your wife.ââ?¬ He did. They still love each other. To add to all of her blessings, she has eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren and expects that there will be more ââ?¬Å?grands.ââ?¬