Gospel preacher and teacher at Freed-Hardeman University and Magnolia Bible College. He is listed in Preachers of Today, Vol. 1, 1951, 46. Obituary: C. W. Bradley, 83, of Memphis, died August 18, 2005. Brother Bradley was a minister in the churches of Christ for over 60 years working with numerous congregations throughout New York, North Carolina, and Tennessee. He served the Lord with an unwavering devotion, committing at an early age to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Though retired from "full-time" work in 2001, he continued preaching and serving in various capacities up until his passing. He has the distinction of conducting the funeral service of Elvis Presley.
Words Spoken at Elvis' Funeral
C. W. Bradley, minister of Wooddale Church of Christ and longtime friend of the Elvis Presley family, presided at the entertainer's funeral services at Graceland mansion Thursday. Bradley formerly was the minister at Whitehaven Church of Christ, where Presley's stepmother, Mrs. Dee Presley, is a member. It was through this association, he said, that he became close to the family. Following are excerpts from his funeral sermon:
"Words do not take away from a man's life, and words do not add to a man's life in the sight of God. Though I will make several personal observations regarding Elvis, and from them seek to encourage us, it is not my purpose to try to eulogize him. This is being done by thousands throughout the world. We are here to honor the memory of a man loved by millions. Elvis can serve as an inspiring example of the great potential of one human being who has strong desire and unfailing determination. From total obscurity Elvis rose to world fame. His name is a household word in every nook and corner of this earth. Though idolized by millions and forced to be protected from the crowds, Elvis never lost his desire to stay in close touch with humanity. In a society that has talked so much about the generation gap, the closeness of Elvis and his father and his constant dependence upon Vernon's counsel was heartwarming to observe. Elvis never forgot his family. In a thousand ways he showed his great love for them. In a world where so many pressures are brought upon us to lose our identity, to be lost in the masses, Elvis dared to be different ... Elvis was different and no one else can ever be exactly like him. Wherever and whenever his voice was heard, everybody knew that was Elvis Presley. But Elvis was a frail human being. And he would be the first to admit his weaknesses. Perhaps because of his rapid rise to fame and fortune he was thrown into temptations that some never experience. Elvis would not want anyone to think that he had no flaws or faults. But now that he's gone, I find it more helpful to remember his good qualities, and I hope you do, too. We are here to offer comfort and encouragement to Elvis' family. There is much encouragement in all the beautiful flowers sent by loving hands and hearts from around the world. There is much encouragement in the presence of so many who have crowded into our city in addition to those here. And also from knowing that literally millions throughout the Earth have their hearts turned in this direction at this hour. There is also much encouragement from the beautiful music. But the greatest comfort and strength come from knowing there is a God in Heaven who looks down upon us with love and compassion and who says, 'I will never leave you or forsake you."
Bradley then quoted the hymn by S.M.T. Henry displayed with this story and continued:
"We are here to be reminded that we, too, must soon depart this life. The Bible vividly emphasizes the brevity and uncertainty of life. Once when King Saul was chasing David across the country, David said, 'There is but a step between me and death.' And none of us knows when he shall take that step. Elvis died at 42. Some of you may not live to be that old. But it's not how long we live that's really important, but how we live. If we reject the Bible, then personally I find that life has no real meaning. The Bible teaches that God's plans and purposes for man culminated in the death and resurrection of His son on a cross. Jesus lives today. And because He lives, through Him we too can have hope of life beyond the grave. Thus today (Thursday) I hold up Jesus Christ to all of us. And challenge each of you to commit your heart and life to Him. May these moments of quiet and thoughtful meditation and reflection of Elvis' life serve to help us also reflect upon our own lives and to re-examine our own lives. And may these moments help us to reset our compasses. All of us sometimes get going in the wrong direction." ---Deborah White, 1977. Cf. Commercial Appeal .
Words Spoken at Elvis' Funeral
C. W. Bradley, minister of Wooddale Church of Christ and longtime friend of the Elvis Presley family, presided at the entertainer's funeral services at Graceland mansion Thursday. Bradley formerly was the minister at Whitehaven Church of Christ, where Presley's stepmother, Mrs. Dee Presley, is a member. It was through this association, he said, that he became close to the family. Following are excerpts from his funeral sermon:
"Words do not take away from a man's life, and words do not add to a man's life in the sight of God. Though I will make several personal observations regarding Elvis, and from them seek to encourage us, it is not my purpose to try to eulogize him. This is being done by thousands throughout the world. We are here to honor the memory of a man loved by millions. Elvis can serve as an inspiring example of the great potential of one human being who has strong desire and unfailing determination. From total obscurity Elvis rose to world fame. His name is a household word in every nook and corner of this earth. Though idolized by millions and forced to be protected from the crowds, Elvis never lost his desire to stay in close touch with humanity. In a society that has talked so much about the generation gap, the closeness of Elvis and his father and his constant dependence upon Vernon's counsel was heartwarming to observe. Elvis never forgot his family. In a thousand ways he showed his great love for them. In a world where so many pressures are brought upon us to lose our identity, to be lost in the masses, Elvis dared to be different ... Elvis was different and no one else can ever be exactly like him. Wherever and whenever his voice was heard, everybody knew that was Elvis Presley. But Elvis was a frail human being. And he would be the first to admit his weaknesses. Perhaps because of his rapid rise to fame and fortune he was thrown into temptations that some never experience. Elvis would not want anyone to think that he had no flaws or faults. But now that he's gone, I find it more helpful to remember his good qualities, and I hope you do, too. We are here to offer comfort and encouragement to Elvis' family. There is much encouragement in all the beautiful flowers sent by loving hands and hearts from around the world. There is much encouragement in the presence of so many who have crowded into our city in addition to those here. And also from knowing that literally millions throughout the Earth have their hearts turned in this direction at this hour. There is also much encouragement from the beautiful music. But the greatest comfort and strength come from knowing there is a God in Heaven who looks down upon us with love and compassion and who says, 'I will never leave you or forsake you."
Bradley then quoted the hymn by S.M.T. Henry displayed with this story and continued:
"We are here to be reminded that we, too, must soon depart this life. The Bible vividly emphasizes the brevity and uncertainty of life. Once when King Saul was chasing David across the country, David said, 'There is but a step between me and death.' And none of us knows when he shall take that step. Elvis died at 42. Some of you may not live to be that old. But it's not how long we live that's really important, but how we live. If we reject the Bible, then personally I find that life has no real meaning. The Bible teaches that God's plans and purposes for man culminated in the death and resurrection of His son on a cross. Jesus lives today. And because He lives, through Him we too can have hope of life beyond the grave. Thus today (Thursday) I hold up Jesus Christ to all of us. And challenge each of you to commit your heart and life to Him. May these moments of quiet and thoughtful meditation and reflection of Elvis' life serve to help us also reflect upon our own lives and to re-examine our own lives. And may these moments help us to reset our compasses. All of us sometimes get going in the wrong direction." ---Deborah White, 1977. Cf. Commercial Appeal .
Gospel preacher and teacher at Freed-Hardeman University and Magnolia Bible College. He is listed in Preachers of Today, Vol. 1, 1951, 46. Obituary: C. W. Bradley, 83, of Memphis, died August 18, 2005. Brother Bradley was a minister in the churches of Christ for over 60 years working with numerous congregations throughout New York, North Carolina, and Tennessee. He served the Lord with an unwavering devotion, committing at an early age to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Though retired from "full-time" work in 2001, he continued preaching and serving in various capacities up until his passing. He has the distinction of conducting the funeral service of Elvis Presley.
Words Spoken at Elvis' Funeral
C. W. Bradley, minister of Wooddale Church of Christ and longtime friend of the Elvis Presley family, presided at the entertainer's funeral services at Graceland mansion Thursday. Bradley formerly was the minister at Whitehaven Church of Christ, where Presley's stepmother, Mrs. Dee Presley, is a member. It was through this association, he said, that he became close to the family. Following are excerpts from his funeral sermon:
"Words do not take away from a man's life, and words do not add to a man's life in the sight of God. Though I will make several personal observations regarding Elvis, and from them seek to encourage us, it is not my purpose to try to eulogize him. This is being done by thousands throughout the world. We are here to honor the memory of a man loved by millions. Elvis can serve as an inspiring example of the great potential of one human being who has strong desire and unfailing determination. From total obscurity Elvis rose to world fame. His name is a household word in every nook and corner of this earth. Though idolized by millions and forced to be protected from the crowds, Elvis never lost his desire to stay in close touch with humanity. In a society that has talked so much about the generation gap, the closeness of Elvis and his father and his constant dependence upon Vernon's counsel was heartwarming to observe. Elvis never forgot his family. In a thousand ways he showed his great love for them. In a world where so many pressures are brought upon us to lose our identity, to be lost in the masses, Elvis dared to be different ... Elvis was different and no one else can ever be exactly like him. Wherever and whenever his voice was heard, everybody knew that was Elvis Presley. But Elvis was a frail human being. And he would be the first to admit his weaknesses. Perhaps because of his rapid rise to fame and fortune he was thrown into temptations that some never experience. Elvis would not want anyone to think that he had no flaws or faults. But now that he's gone, I find it more helpful to remember his good qualities, and I hope you do, too. We are here to offer comfort and encouragement to Elvis' family. There is much encouragement in all the beautiful flowers sent by loving hands and hearts from around the world. There is much encouragement in the presence of so many who have crowded into our city in addition to those here. And also from knowing that literally millions throughout the Earth have their hearts turned in this direction at this hour. There is also much encouragement from the beautiful music. But the greatest comfort and strength come from knowing there is a God in Heaven who looks down upon us with love and compassion and who says, 'I will never leave you or forsake you."
Bradley then quoted the hymn by S.M.T. Henry displayed with this story and continued:
"We are here to be reminded that we, too, must soon depart this life. The Bible vividly emphasizes the brevity and uncertainty of life. Once when King Saul was chasing David across the country, David said, 'There is but a step between me and death.' And none of us knows when he shall take that step. Elvis died at 42. Some of you may not live to be that old. But it's not how long we live that's really important, but how we live. If we reject the Bible, then personally I find that life has no real meaning. The Bible teaches that God's plans and purposes for man culminated in the death and resurrection of His son on a cross. Jesus lives today. And because He lives, through Him we too can have hope of life beyond the grave. Thus today (Thursday) I hold up Jesus Christ to all of us. And challenge each of you to commit your heart and life to Him. May these moments of quiet and thoughtful meditation and reflection of Elvis' life serve to help us also reflect upon our own lives and to re-examine our own lives. And may these moments help us to reset our compasses. All of us sometimes get going in the wrong direction." ---Deborah White, 1977. Cf. Commercial Appeal .
Words Spoken at Elvis' Funeral
C. W. Bradley, minister of Wooddale Church of Christ and longtime friend of the Elvis Presley family, presided at the entertainer's funeral services at Graceland mansion Thursday. Bradley formerly was the minister at Whitehaven Church of Christ, where Presley's stepmother, Mrs. Dee Presley, is a member. It was through this association, he said, that he became close to the family. Following are excerpts from his funeral sermon:
"Words do not take away from a man's life, and words do not add to a man's life in the sight of God. Though I will make several personal observations regarding Elvis, and from them seek to encourage us, it is not my purpose to try to eulogize him. This is being done by thousands throughout the world. We are here to honor the memory of a man loved by millions. Elvis can serve as an inspiring example of the great potential of one human being who has strong desire and unfailing determination. From total obscurity Elvis rose to world fame. His name is a household word in every nook and corner of this earth. Though idolized by millions and forced to be protected from the crowds, Elvis never lost his desire to stay in close touch with humanity. In a society that has talked so much about the generation gap, the closeness of Elvis and his father and his constant dependence upon Vernon's counsel was heartwarming to observe. Elvis never forgot his family. In a thousand ways he showed his great love for them. In a world where so many pressures are brought upon us to lose our identity, to be lost in the masses, Elvis dared to be different ... Elvis was different and no one else can ever be exactly like him. Wherever and whenever his voice was heard, everybody knew that was Elvis Presley. But Elvis was a frail human being. And he would be the first to admit his weaknesses. Perhaps because of his rapid rise to fame and fortune he was thrown into temptations that some never experience. Elvis would not want anyone to think that he had no flaws or faults. But now that he's gone, I find it more helpful to remember his good qualities, and I hope you do, too. We are here to offer comfort and encouragement to Elvis' family. There is much encouragement in all the beautiful flowers sent by loving hands and hearts from around the world. There is much encouragement in the presence of so many who have crowded into our city in addition to those here. And also from knowing that literally millions throughout the Earth have their hearts turned in this direction at this hour. There is also much encouragement from the beautiful music. But the greatest comfort and strength come from knowing there is a God in Heaven who looks down upon us with love and compassion and who says, 'I will never leave you or forsake you."
Bradley then quoted the hymn by S.M.T. Henry displayed with this story and continued:
"We are here to be reminded that we, too, must soon depart this life. The Bible vividly emphasizes the brevity and uncertainty of life. Once when King Saul was chasing David across the country, David said, 'There is but a step between me and death.' And none of us knows when he shall take that step. Elvis died at 42. Some of you may not live to be that old. But it's not how long we live that's really important, but how we live. If we reject the Bible, then personally I find that life has no real meaning. The Bible teaches that God's plans and purposes for man culminated in the death and resurrection of His son on a cross. Jesus lives today. And because He lives, through Him we too can have hope of life beyond the grave. Thus today (Thursday) I hold up Jesus Christ to all of us. And challenge each of you to commit your heart and life to Him. May these moments of quiet and thoughtful meditation and reflection of Elvis' life serve to help us also reflect upon our own lives and to re-examine our own lives. And may these moments help us to reset our compasses. All of us sometimes get going in the wrong direction." ---Deborah White, 1977. Cf. Commercial Appeal .
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