Virginia Browning Bradshaw died Feb. 9, 2022, at her home in Shawnee, OK. She was 92.
She was born Feb. 21, 1929, during an oil well gusher in the northern Oklahoma town of Braman. Her family moved to Chandler where in high school, Virginia began what would become her life’s work – journalism. For almost a half-century, she wrote newspaper stories about the life and times of the Oklahoma people with whom she lived.
At age 17, she began writing for the Chandler News-Publicist.
Virginia worked for more than 40 years in Oklahoma journalism, including 26 at the Shawnee News-Star during three different periods. During that time, she also worked three years at the Norman Transcript. She also served as public information director for St. Gregory’s College in Shawnee. During six years at the institution, she wrote press releases, taught journalism and served as advisor for the student newspaper and yearbook. In 2006, Virginia returned to reporting, writing articles for The Oklahoman. Around 2016, she began working on a more regular basis for the Countywide & Sun in Tecumseh – a job she continued until early 2020 when she retired for a second time from the news business.
Virginia married Jim Bradshaw Jan. 18, 1951, in Chandler, OK. She is survived by her son, Jim Bradshaw and wife Peggy of Springfield, VA; son Tom Bradshaw and wife Lara of Justin, TX; daughter Nancy Antosh and husband Jim of Shawnee. Grandchildren David Antosh and wife Ashley of Edmond, Robert Antosh and wife Robin of Choctaw, Peter Antosh of Norman, Jimmy Bradshaw of Harrisburg, Virginia, Robert Bradshaw of Richmond, VA, Kai Bradshaw of Justin, TX and Julianna Bradshaw of Norman; great-grandchildren Eve, Mark and Luke Antosh of Edmond.
Funeral services were held Feb. 14, 2022, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Shawnee. Burial was at New Zion Cemetery east of Chandler.
