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Flora Michelle Bradbury, nee Cooper, affectionately known as Flo, passed away on June 24, 2024 in Midland, Georgia at the age of 75. Born in Philadelphia, PA on February 16, 1949, Flo later moved with her family to eventually settle in Tampa, Florida for most of her adult life, where she built a fulfilling career and family life, filled with a love of quilting and embroidery.
Known for her sassy spirit and wit sharper than her sewing needles, Flo was the embodiment of love wrapped in a quilt of caring and compassion. Flo was intensely passionate about the people and causes dear to her heart. Her family was her pride and joy, including her husband of 50 years, John Bradbury, daughters Heather Bradbury and Melissa Johnson, sons-in-law Billy Branch and Jason Johnson and granddaughters Aimee, Sydney, Bethanie and Marleigh. She was preceded in death by her beloved brother, Murrary Cooper, and her parents, Bertha and Herbert Cooper. Flo was the stitching that bound together those who were the most vibrant pieces of her quilted life.
Flo dedicated many years to Tampa General Hospital as a NICU nurse, where she was known as Flo Bee because she was always so busy helping others, before retiring in 2013. Her compassion for children and families extended beyond her professional life. After her granddaughter’s diagnosis with Leukemia, Flo served as co-chair for the Tampa Bay chapter of Ryan’s Cases for Smiles, an organization dedicated to bringing smiles to the faces of children fighting cancer every day. Flo also became a sought-after quilting instructor, excelling at her craft and finding a passion in passing along her love for piecing together the perfect quilt. Her friendships with the quilting community brought her immense happiness and fulfillment. She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, compassion and the countless yards of fabric that are piled up high in her quilting room.
A Celebration of Flo’s life, where the color purple and plenty of laughter and joy is required, will be held at a later date at the family home in Columbus, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made in her honor to the Tampa Bay Chapter of Ryan’s Cases for Smiles, where her legacy will continue to be sewn into the lives of others. Donations can be made online at https://caseforsmiles.org/. Flo’s memory and legacy will continue to inspire and impact many, just as her life did.
Kathryn Messerschmidt says
Flo was the backbone of our sewing and quilting community in the Tampa Bay area. She brought together strangers and made us family. She is missed beyond measure. I’m so fortunate that she considered me a friend.
Terry Burke says
I’m so sorry for your loss of an amazing woman. I worked with her many years in the TGH NICU. I wish I could have spoken to her but I know her wishes were to not to do that when she became ill. I loved her beautiful quilts and we talked on FB before. She was a loving, kind , fantastic person and nurse and she’ll truly be missed
Mitch and Jan Mitchell says
Sending our thoughts and prayers to the Bradbury family, so sorry for your lose.
Jan Mitchell says
Please excuse the misspelling of loss.
Lynn Haberl says
Flo was an inspiration to me from the day I met her. First as a customer of Inspire! Quilting & Sewing and later on as a friend. She was so talented as a quiltmaker and instructor. When she took over the co-chairmanship if Ryan’s Cases for Smiles, it became the best chapter in the US. My favorite things about her…. she loved everyone, no judgement, her “Can Do” attitude and her compassion. She will be sorely missed. See you someday, I know you’ll be wearing a purple robe!
Jennifer Crone says
Flo was a mother to me and a grandmother to my children. I absolutely loved her and the world is a little less bright without her in it, My entire family misses her. We send our love especially to John. We pray that her soul will rest in peace and look forward to when we can gather to mourn the loss of her in our lives, but still celebrate her amazing life.
Faye Hemingway says
Flo it saddens me that you are gone, but will never be forgotten!!! You made a handful of people in your life that really leave an impression with you and you were one of those. Love you.