Rev. Dr. Robert L. Bradley, Sr. M.Div

Rev. Dr. Robert L. Bradley, Pastor Emeritus of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, boarded the Evening train to glory on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, from the Albany Medical Center Hospital holding his wife’s hand and with his family at his side.  A Rensselaer native, Pastor Emeritus Bradley was one of 10 children born to the late Lottie and Robert Bradley.    

At age 17 Robert Bradley was drafted into the armed forces during the Korean Conflict, completing a three year tour (1953-1956), he was honorably discharged.  Upon his return, he met the love of his life, Phyllis Ann Thomas, in 1957 at Union Baptist Church where they were both members.  In 1959 the two were married and began their life together.  Of this union, three children were born, Robert Jr., Tracey and Derrick.  

Bradley, as he was affectionately called by his wife and many dear friends, enlisted for a second tour in the armed forces in December 1962 - December 1965, during the Viet Nam Conflict.  His Military Operating Specialties (MOS) were Military Police, Airborne and Special Forces.  He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was Honorably discharged at the completion of his tour.  

Bradley was employed by a Fortune 500 Company, Niagara Mohawk ( aka National Grid) where he climbed the corporate ladder.  The company relocated him and his family to  Syracuse New York to build their company staff.   After five years he and his family were relocated back to Albany area and built their first home in Colonie, NY.  Upon his return, Niagara Mohawk promoted him to Human Resource Manager.  His primary duties were managing employment , fringe benefits, promotions and Labor Relations functions.  His position and influence allowed him to make employment opportunities available to others within the Black Community.   Additional employment also consisted of Job Coach Counselor for Greater Albany Colonie Chamber of Commerce, Director, National Alliance of Business Workers (NAB).  Additionally, Robert Bradley have served on several advisory boards, including both High School and Two Year Colleges, Private Industry Councils (PIC) and Human Resource Councils. Bradley’s formal education includes, but is not limited to…
United States Army Institute of Military Assistance Program, 1969-70 Cornell University, Certificate Labor Relations Program, 1974-76 College of Saint Rose, Liberal Arts/Social Sciences Bachelors Degree 1976
Hartford Seminary Black Ministry Certificate Program, 1992-93 Northeast Branch Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary M.Div 1994-95 WHW Ministers Conference, Los Angeles, CA Certificate Program
He graduated from Faith Seminary Masters Degree Theological Studies and later entered the Doctoral of Ministry Program PhD, where he graduated on October 7, 2010.

Dr. Bradley was an active member of the Union Missionary Baptist Church from 1946-1995.  He was licensed to the ministry under the pastorate of the late Rev. Louis C. Brewer in 1992 and ordained in 1993.  As an Associate Minister, he served as Administrative Assistant to the Pastor.  

In 1995, Dr. Bradley was called to Pastor the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Albany. He moved the church from membership to discipleship and the Lord added daily to the Ministry.  During his pastorate, in addition to ordaining deacons and consecrating deaconesses, he ordained his first Licentiate, Minister Richard D. Turpin in 1999.  One year later (June 2000), he held  Licensing service for Deaconess Suzette Turpin.  As their pastor, Dr. Bradley unselfishly allowed the service to be a collaborative effort between Mt. Zion and Second Baptist Church, giving the newly called Richard Turpin as Pastor the privilege to license his wife.  A Man of Integrity he truly was!

Dr. Bradley served as Vice Moderator and Moderator of Hudson River Frontier Missionary Baptist Association.  He served as General Recording Secretary to the Empire Baptist Missionary Convention under the presidency of Dr. Washington Lundy and Dr. Ronald Grant.

After celebrating 27 years of pastoring the Mt. Zion Church, Pastor Bradley announced his retirement in February for a October 2020 Banquet being planned.  Delayed by COVID, his retirement was celebrated with Community acknowledgements on July 17, 2021.  Mt. Zion honored their Pastor and First Lady as King and Queen with an open door drive up celebration with all the traditional trimmings of gifts, food and fellowship.  Setting a trend still celebrated by many today!

On June 18, 2022, Under the pastorate of Reverend Jahmel Robinson, Mt. Zion bestowed the honor of Pastor Emeritus on Dr. Bradley, culminating with the street renaming of Schuyler Street to The Rev. Dr. Robert L. Bradley Way.  A very well deserved honor for a Man of many Honors, who has been an asset to the Kingdom!

Pastor Emeritus Bradley’s greatest joy was his family… loving his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Spending time at Family Reunions and events.  He loved traveling and did so every opportunity he and Phyllis got.  Often traveling to Conventions with their friends the Macklins or cruising with friends and family.  He was an avid shopper and could out shop his wife.  He was a Lincoln man!  Having driven and even owned almost every kind there was as long as it caught his eye! 

Bradley leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 63 years, Mrs. Phyllis Bradley, his children, Robert L. Jr., Tracey N. (Charles) Shaw, Derrick F. (Norma) Bradley; adoptive daughter, Rhonda (Jerome) Brown; siblings, Roberta Young, Abdul Salaam, Richard Bradley, Loretta McKenzie, Brenda May, Linda Simmons; Sisters in Love, Cecelia Lyons, Cynthia Williams, Johnnie Lyons.  Bradley also leaves eight (8) grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, sons and daughters in Ministry, many adoptive children, Mt. Zion Church Family, Union Church Family and a community of Christian relatives and friends that will sorely miss him.
Dr. Bradley was predeceased by his parents, his grandson TShad Bradley Clark, Kayla M. Bradley (Granddaughter), siblings Mary L. Thomas, Marie Dobbs Gaines, Clifford Perry, Henry Bradley.
 
 

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