Stephanie Elaine Tolbert Bradley

Stephanie Elaine Tolbert Bradley, 76, of Molena, died February 8, 2026, at her home. Born December 19, 1949 in Salisbury, NC., she was the daughter of the late Aubrey Thomas and Helan Bowden Tolbert.

She is survived by her loving husband, Robert Bradley, two daughters, Shannon (David) Byers of Lilburn, GA and Branwyn Reeves of Pueblo, CO, granddaughters, Maire Francis Denman (Devon), Lyllian Jane Reeves and Micajah Elayne Reeves. She is also survived by sister, Sharon Tolbert and brother, Thomas Tolbert (Dawn), along with numerous nieces and nephews, all from South Carolina.

Stephanie grew up in various places due to her father working for Colonial Pipeline and was known for making friends wherever she was. In her later teen years, the family settled in Spartanburg, SC., where she attended Spartanburg High School. After her marriage to Robbie, who also settled into life working for Plantation Pipeline, the family moved around frequently across the south from 1969-1976 when they settled in Lawrenceville, GA. Stephanie always had a servants heart and served as room mother for her girls at their schools and was the ever popular Girl Scout leader for both Shannon and Branwyn from the 1970s-1990s, still keeping ties today with some of those girls to whom she was a "2nd mom". While her girls were little and she was a stay at home mom, she supplemented the family income by cleaning houses just constructed when they were put on the market and selling Avon, Tupperware and Sarah Coventry jewelry. When they were older, she had various jobs outside the home, one notably being for the Atlanta Falcons.

An avid genealogist, she was known to take day trips to parts unknown to uncover a long forgotten family mystery clue, sit in musty state/county archives, museums and historical societies, along with avoiding ticks, snakes and mosquitos in overgrown cemeteries. Her first use of a home computer included belonging to a genealogy BBS and using her state of the art modem to dial into libraries to see what family history tomes they may have had on their shelves. Once genealogy became a "thing" on the new fangled world wide web, she was often heard recounting the loss of sleep because of family "rabbit" holes.

Stephanie was adamant that her girls were excited about reading and learning everything they could. Most all family vacations were at a historic site of some sort to further education. In her later years, one of her favorite quotes was one attributed to Eric Bard from Beyond Skinwalker Ranch, "I'm determined to be caught red-handed in the act of learning" and this sums her up perfectly.

Through all the transitions in her life, she kept church at the forefront. No matter what church she was attending, she gave her all and volunteered for things many people shied away from. She raised her daughters to have an understanding of all religions so they could be well versed to understand the various people they would meet in their lives. When she and Robbie retired from Lawrenceville to Molena, they eventually found their way to Emmanuel Baptist Church where she did what she had always done, made lifelong friends and volunteered for things others would not do. One of her favorite sayings is, "Jesus knows me, this I love" and to her, that will be evident when she is received in her Heaven being handed a bowl of homemade ice cream made by her daddy.

She will be remembered for her infectious laugh, her wicked humor, her not so subtle sarcasm, but most importantly for her loyalty and the personal ways she let you know she was in your corner. Even if she did not always 100% agree with where your corner was at.

The family would like to extend their appreciation for Bightmoor Hospice for their excellent care in Stephanie's last days as well as appreciation to the members of Emmanuel Baptist Church. But most of all, we want to express our profound appreciation to Maire Frances Denman for her steadfast and unwavering care these last months. A better and more capable caregiver does not exist.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date, so in lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Wounded Warriors (or the charity of your choice) in her name.