Martha Nell Bradford "Dutch" passed away at her home in Yuma on Wednesday, September 2, 2009. She was born on October 6, 1921 in Greensboro, Georgia to Luther John (Shot) Rogers and Ethel Mary Grizzard. Martha Nell was known to friends and family as "Dutch", nicknamed by her father in childhood after her "Dutchboy" haircut. Dutch was the fifth of six children, older siblings, Raymond (who died as an infant) Hubert, Mary (Georgia), Luther Jr. and younger brother, James T. "Shot" Rogers was a cotton buyer in Georgia and Alabama before moving his family in 1925 to Arizona where he thought "cotton was King". Dutch graduated from Yuma Union High School in 1939. She had fond memories of being a Yell Leader and Student Body Secretary. Martha Nell (Dutch) married Paul E. (Satch) Bradford on October 9, 1941, shortly after her twentieth birthday. Together they owned and operated the Santa Rita Hotel on North Main Street in partnership with R.H. and Georgia Lutes. Operating a newsstand and turquoise shop, in the lobby of the hotel marked the beginning of Dutch's enduring love for Native American jewelry. She later sold jewelry at Turquoise Tradition, a shop in the old Stardust Hotel. After WWII Dutch and Satch had three sons, John, Donald, and Ronald. As Yuma prospered they were involved in the early Yuma Jaycees and the founding of the Yuma Silver Spur Rodeo. Satch was Rodeo Chairman in 1951 and Dutch was a Spurette. Martha Nell (Dutch) was preceded in death by her husband, Paul E. Bradford; brothers, Raymond, Hubert, Luther Jr., and James T. Rogers; sister Mary (Georgia) Lutes. Dutch is survived by her sons, John Walter, Donald Edward, and Ronald James Bradford; and numerous nieces and nephews from the Rogers, Bradford, and Lutes families. "Dutch" will be greatly missed by her family and friends, for her wonderful, zany charm, her warmth, and loving concern. She was a true original! A funeral service will be held at First United Methodist Church, 298 W. Third St. on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Yuma, The First United Methodist Church, or The Assistance League of Yuma, Operation School Bell. Please sign the guestbook at
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