CAMERON

The Funeral Service will be Live streamed from New Hope Church - Click Here

Will be viewable and active on 10/09/21 - 15 Minutes before the service at 11:00 AM and will be available to re-watch at any time.

Robert Louis Bradsher, Jr., 70, passed away peacefully after a brief battle with covid on September 12, 2021.

Robert was born and raised in Raleigh, NC and was the youngest of three children. His father passed away when he was just 8 years old, Robert had to grow up fast and learn to take care of the farm for the family to carry on after the loss of the family patriarch.  Over the years he learned to work the family farm, which was greatly due to the help and education he gained from two great men in the community that became his substitute fathers. Those being Mr. Billy Green and Mr. A. G. Stell.  Robert always said, "You either pay for your education or someone else pays for it."  Robert paid for his farming education through sweat and hard work.  This was an education that stuck with him throughout the years.

As Robert entered young adulthood, he had the drive and ambition that would rival any successful businessman out there today.  While running the family farm, Robert also volunteered to serve as a Fire Fighter at New Hope Fire Department Station No. 1 because he had a desire to help those that needed help.  Throughout Robert's life, he never missed an opportunity to help someone.  Robert's life was one of a true Servant-Leader modeled from the teachings of Christ.  Robert worked hard and he led from the front in all aspects of life and was one to be emulated.

In November 1977, Robert married his sweetheart, Vera.  Robert and Vera were a solid team that were committed to one another which allowed the two of them to be successful in all their endeavors.  In October 1978, he started his first self-owned business by hauling topsoil to homeowners and doing landscaping and mowing jobs.  At the same time, Robert also started a large u-pick produce farm which encompassed approximately 50 acres.  The construction side of the business grew into something larger quickly.  Robert was awarded the contract to do the grading and seeding work when the state was expanding interstate 40 through Raleigh.

The 1980's brought a lot of growth and expansion for Robert.  With three young children in the home, Robert worked even harder than ever to ensure his family had everything they needed while teaching them the valuable lessons of life, like a good work ethic and how to serve and love the Lord.  Even after an accident that would have crippled just about anyone else, an opportunity presented itself that probably paved the way for Robert's future in the sand and soil industry.  While speaking with a local contractor one day, the man asked Robert if he knew where to get some good sand.  Robert replied with, "Yes, but I am going to need a little while to get it."

Robert had the vision to get the sand off the bottom of the Neuse River located at the backside of the family farm, but there was one minor detail that had to be addressed; how to retrieve the sand off the bottom of the river.  Robert took a dream and made it a reality.  He designed and built a dredge out of an old Detroit engine and a 40-foot trash container combined with some other odd parts and Robert was in the mining business.  He dredged the river and sold a quality sand to the various contractors and golf courses in Raleigh and the surrounding area.

Robert did not stop there.  He continued to work hard, study soil conservation maps, learn different industry standards and make informed business decisions that proved to be extremely prosperous as well as diverse.  At the time of his death, Robert had five businesses spread across Wake, Edgecombe, Harnett, Richmond, and Scotland County.  Robert said this often, "It is not mine; it belongs to the Lord, He is just letting me watch over it."

Robert touched the lives of everyone around him.  He always took the time to mentor and develop those around him.  There are several local business owners that give Robert the credit for their accomplishments.  If Robert could help someone struggling, he would do it and would not even think twice about it.  To say the least, Robert had a huge heart and an even larger desire to help others.

Robert was a member of the following organizations:  International Harvester Eastern North Carolina Chapter #37, Board of Directors Spout Springs Emergency Services, Board of Directors Monte de Horeb Ministries Pavana Honduras, American Water Works Association, National Sanitation Foundation International, Hillmon Grove Baptist Church, and he served as a Deacon for New Hope Baptist Church.

Robert is survived by his wife, Vera Wilder Bradsher of Cameron; children, Shelly Ann Bell (Jeremy) of Raleigh, Lori Beth Hundley (Craig) of Youngsville, and Scott Louis Bradsher (Danielle) of Cameron; His 6 Grandchildren, Tanner, Toby, Sawyer, Makenzy, Blake, and Wyatt, His Sisters, Susan Liles (Skip), Ann Hodges (Milt) both of Charlotte; Brother and Sister-in laws, many cousins both of the Bradsher and Blackwell families, as well as many Nieces and Nephews.

Family and Friends are welcome for visitation to take place at New Hope Baptist Church, 4301 Louisburg Road, Raleigh, NC from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 8, 2021.  The funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 9, 2021, at New Hope Baptist Church, 4301 Louisburg Road, Raleigh, NC. Interment will immediately follow at Montlawn Cemetery, 2911 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Robert to the Monte de Horeb Ministries by going to the following link, https://montedehoreb.com/contact-donate/ .  This was Robert's favorite mission, where homes and lives are changed every day through the love of Christ.  "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us.  We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20)

Arrangements under the direction of Montlawn Funeral Home and Cremations.