Alexandra Mary Bradley, 60, most recently of La Crosse and formerly of Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Md., and New York, N.Y., died Thursday, March 12, 2009, surrounded in love by family and friends. Alex was born July 8, 1948, in Washington, D.C., to Virginia "Mimi" Sevilla (Russell) Bradley and John Edward Bradley Sr. She was one of seven and the youngest daughter. As a teenager, Alex moved to New York City on her own. There, she embarked on a successful career as a singer and dancer, performing on and off Broadway.

As the 1960s ushered in the civil rights movement in the United States, Alex's passion was born. She joined, and led, several peaceful civil rights demonstrations. In Alex's later years, she enjoyed telling the stories of her youth and getting to march with Dr. King, Reverend Jackson and many other top civil rights leaders of the time.

As the '60s came to an end, another life-changing event was on the horizon. Shortly after moving back to Maryland on Aug. 17, 1969, she was blessed with the birth of her eldest son, Thomas Alexander Bradley. The blessings wouldn't stop there as on Oct. 26, 1970, the Lord delivered Alex her only daughter, Krista Marie (Bradley) Stark. Being a mother was the highlight of Alex's life, and she made sure her children knew that on a daily basis. With her new small family, Alex took various bookkeeping jobs to support them while remaining active in her new community of Prince George's County, Md.

As the '70s came to a close, Alex, Tommy and Krista moved to St. Mary's County, Md., where Alex took a position as grant administrator for St. Mary's County Community Action. Alex thrived in this role as it allowed her to remain active in the community.

On multiple occasions, she was called to testify before the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate on various civil and equal rights issues. It was during this time that Alex's ailing mother came to live with her, and she received the news that she would soon be blessed with the birth of her baby boy, Marc "Julian" Nicholas Bradley, on Feb. 11, 1981.

In the mid-80's, Alex's health became a factor in her life, as she suffered her first heart attack. She rebounded well and went right back to work helping others and caring for her family. In the late '80s, Alex's position with Community Action was cut due to budget cuts.

In 1992, Alex and Julian left St. Mary's County and settled in the Coulee Region, following her daughter and new grandchildren who arrived the year before. Shortly after their arrival, Tommy relocated as well.

In 1993, Alex went back to school to get her diploma, something she had regretted not doing in her early years. In the mid- 90s, Alex's health again became an issue as she suffered yet another heart attack. Upon further examination, it was also found that Alex was a diabetic among other serious health conditions. Even as Alex's health deteriorated, she continued to open herself, her heart and her home to those in need.

In the summer of 2003, she suffered a massive stroke. She was told that she would never walk, talk or live on her own again. By the fall of 2003, she proved everyone wrong by returning to her apartment, where she lived independently until 2008, when she was hospitalized until her death March 12.

Waiting at the gates of heaven to welcome Alex home and back in to their arms were her maternal grandparents, Sivvy and Clarence; her paternal grandparents; her Aunt Georgia; her parents, Virginia "Mimi" and John; her sister, Dianna Lee (Bradley) White Bogner; her brother, Jeffrey Bruce Bradley; her nephew, Charles Lee White; and her great-nephews, Charles White Jr. and Deon White.

She is survived by her sister, Virginia "Patricia" (Bradley) Gibson of Maryland; brothers, John Edward Bradley Jr. "Jebby" of Virginia, James Mosset Bradley of Missouri and Arthur William (Bill) Paddy of West Salem; her three children, Tom Bradley of La Crosse, Krista (Hicks) Stark of Holmen and M. Julian Bradley of La Crosse; her six grandchildren, Stephen Hicks, Jeremy Hicks, Nathan Hicks, Mackenzie Hicks, Matthew Stark and Kiley Leslie; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; her best friend, Jane Intress of La Crosse; and her many friends from Stoffel Court.

Alex faced every situation in life with her chin up and with the ability to find both the good and the humor in it. Her sense of humor, her grace, her intelligence and her spirit are just some of the things that all who knew Alex will remember fondly.

Funeral services will be presided over by Bishop Steven Sorensen and handled by Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home at 1501 West Ave. S., La Crosse, on Wednesday. Services will be at noon with visitation from 10 a.m. Wednesday until the time of services. On Saturday, Alex will be laid to rest at Glenwood Cemetery in Washington, D.C.