Dayle Lacour Bradford's Obituary
Dayle Lacour Bradford, 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on November 15, 2025. She was born the middle of nine children on November 20, 1940 to the late Lurry David Lacour and Estelle Dornier Lacour. She graduated from Ursuline Academy in New Orleans and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette (now UL) where she was a Blue Key Darling and President of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. Her first job was at Charity Hospital where she met her future husband of 62 years, James Louis Bradford. Shortly thereafter, they married and moved to Covington where they raised five children. She was active in her community and was a member of many organizations including the St. Tammany Parish Medical Auxiliary, the Covington Garden Club, and the parent groups of every school her children attended. She was a founder of the first fundraiser for St. Joseph Abbey now known as Deo Gratias.
Dayle was passionate about family, gardening, cooking, and entertaining. At home, she could either be found in her large, welcoming kitchen making one of her famous desserts or tending to her beloved flowers. Christmas was her favorite time of year where she put a great deal of thought into gifts and how she would decorate her home for the holidays. She built her life around her large family and her strong Catholic faith. She treasured all family occasions, and later in life, reveled in spoiling her eleven precious grandchildren. One of her proudest accomplishments in life was instilling her deep faith in her husband, children and grandchildren. She had a special devotion to the Carmelite Sisters of Saint Therese as well as to the monks and seminarians of St. Joseph Abbey who enjoyed many fine meals at her table.
In addition to her parents, Dayle is preceded in death by her cherished aunt, Lillian Ledoux; her best friend and sister, Alys Joy Hurley; brothers L. David Lacour Jr., Don Lacour, and Daniel Lacour. She is survived by her devoted husband, James L. Bradford, Jr., M.D.; her children, Elizabeth Favrot (Cliff), James L. Bradford III (Charlotte), David Bradford (Anne), Julie Weldon (Kieran) and Rebecca Bradford; her 11 adoring grandchildren, Clifford “Ford” Favrot III, David Bradford Jr, Michael Favrot, Sarah Bradford, Kate Weldon, Emma Bradford, Malise Favrot, Gabrielle Bradford, James Bradford IV, Matthew Weldon and William Bradford; and one great-grandchild, Sutton Bradford. She is also survived by her siblings, Douglas Lacour, Dick Lacour, Debra McLaughlin and Dawn Thrash as well as many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate caregivers at Christwood Longleaf.
In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations to St Joseph Abbey.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at St. Joseph Abbey, 75376 River Road, St. Benedict, LA 70457 at 2:00 PM and the visitation will begin at 1:00 PM until service time. Interment will be immediately after at St. Joseph Abbey Cemetery.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. Please sign the guestbook at https://www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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