Lou Ann Heidebur was born on April 19, 1931, in Bartlett, Missouri to Harless “Parm” and Halla Berniece (Miley) Bird. She entered Heaven’s Gate at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri, on November 8, 2021, at the age of 90 years, 6 months, and 18 days.
She was united in marriage to William Elvin Bradley on July 3, 1948. To this union four children were born, Rene, Rhonda, Reta, and Randy.
After her divorce to Elvin, she was united in marriage to Valentine F. Heidebur on November 4, 1967. This marriage was also dissolved, and no children were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Albert C. Bird of Birch Tree; an infant brother that died at birth; three half-brothers, Wayne G. Miley of Winona, Noble Miley of Birch Tree, Lee Bird of Boise, Idaho; two half-sisters, Mary (Miley) Cooley of St. Louis, MO, Wilma Devine of Mishawaka, IN; and a great-grandson, Hunter Frost of Birch Tree.
Lou was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and even a great-great-grandmother. She was often found in the kitchen, where she loved cooking meals and desserts for all of her family and friends. The most popular dishes were her chicken and dumplings, pies, cornbread dressing at Thanksgiving time, and fudge that she would make every Christmas. She loved to garden, plant, and tend to her various flowers all around her house. She also enjoyed the squirrels and various birds that she would feed on a regular basis. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan that would rarely miss listening to the games on the radio or watching on TV and loved talking about them. She was a great fan of game shows on TV as well.
She is survived by her three daughters, Rene Aoki (Jim) of Costa Rica, Rhonda Saylor (Roger) of DeSoto, MO, and Reta Barkley (Dave Tobey) of Eminence, MO; one son, Randy Bradley (Sharon) of Ozark, MO; eight grandchildren, Teresa Levi (Ford), Lee Nicholson (Renee), Zoey Saylor (Lily), Maggie Saylor, April Hayes, Michelle Barkley (Eric Daniels), Erika Bradley (Josiah Custer), and Ethan Bradley; ten great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two loving nephews; and a host of other relatives.
Lou will be sadly missed by all who loved and knew her. Our loss is Heaven’s gain.
