This photograph of Henry Bradley appeared in Madison Elementary School’s 1990 yearbook. (PHOTO / DEBBIE COX)

MADISON – Longtime school principal Henry Bradley died on April 21. He was 70 years old.

Bradley retired as a principal for Madison County Schools and worked in Madison before the city defined its own school district.

Born in Monticello, Fla., Bradley earned a bachelor’s degree in music at Alabama State University and a master’s degree of education in administration at Alabama A&M University. Working as band director, he met teacher Dollie Byars at Morgan County Training School in Hartselle. They married in 1966.

His resume includes Falkville and Bob Jones high schools, Madison Elementary School and Suwannee County (Fla.) School System.

“Henry Bradley was an innovative educator that loved children,” Dr. Dee Fowler, superintendent of Madison City Schools, said. “He always had a smile in his heart and it overflowed to his face. He had very high expectations of his students, staff and especially himself.”

Sandra Whitworth worked as a library aide at Madison elementary when Bradley was principal. “He was principal at Bob Jones High School before coming to Madison elementary. He was principal at Madison elementary from 1986 with grades 4-8 through 1993 when we had grades 2-4,” Whitworth said.

“He was a great person to work with. He had a good relationship with the teachers and everybody. He was very friendly and fair,” Whitworth said.

“Mr. Bradley hired me in the spring of 1993 in a temporary position,” Cindi Sanderson said. “I agreed to work the last six weeks of the 1992-93 school year, but I’m still here.” Sanderson now works as bookkeeper at Madison elementary.

As PTA president, Sanderson found Bradley “so wonderful to work with. He was a great principal to work for. He cared deeply about the students, parents, employees and the community in general. He always wanted what was best for the students.”

“He had a wonderful personality and was happy all the time,” Sanderson said.

The Bradleys have one son, Marcus Henri Bradley, who lives in Atlanta with wife Ericca and children Alayna and Ryan.