Lauvanna Marie Woodley-Bradfield "Lovey"

Lauvanna Marie Woodley-Bradfield (Lovey), a beacon of love and warmth, peacefully departed this world on September 13, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and joy that will forever be cherished by her family and friends. Born on August 21, 1939, in Mobile, Alabama, Lauvanna was the beloved daughter of Luberta Hamilton-Dotson-Bradfield-Munnerlynn and Charles Dotson. Lauvanna's journey was marked by her unwavering dedication to her family and her career. She graduated from Mobile High School and pursued a noble path in nursing, earning her bachelor's degree and dedicating 35 years to the profession as a registered nurse. Through her work, Lauvanna touched countless lives with her gentle spirit and caring heart. In her personal life, Lauvanna was blessed with a family that she adored. She began her family in Alabama with Marzette Brookins, with whom she had three children. Her path later led her to Chicago, where she met and married Les Woodley. Together, they nurtured a beautiful family that grew to include her cherished children, Sandra and Antoinette, her 13 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren. Lauvanna was predeceased by her loving husband Les, her parents, her sister Mary Harper, her brothers Charles and Kenneth Dotson, and her son Eddie Brookins. She leaves behind a brother Gregory Dotson, a host of grandkids, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Lauvanna's heart was as vibrant as her smile, which could light up any room. She was a devoted member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, where she served as an usher, and her life was filled with the simple joys of cooking, reading, decorating, dancing, and gathering with family. Her outspoken nature and welcoming warmth made everyone feel at home in her presence. Her family remembers her not only as a matriarch but as the heart of their family gatherings, always ready with a hug, a kind word, or a delicious dish to share. Lauvanna's greatest joy was her family, and she carried them in her heart, always caring for their well-being. In honor of Lauvanna's memory, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice, reflecting her spirit of giving and generosity. Her family shares this heartfelt message: "She journeyed into the stars, yet her love falls around us like gentle stardust — quiet, luminous, and forever part of our skies." One of her granddaughters, Kisha, fondly remembers her: "Grandma, you left me without warning. Over the last two years, it has been very dark because I haven't been able to hug, kiss, or hear your voice. You would call me 'suga wooga' and tell me how I do so many trades and what I got my hands on now. Until we meet again on the other side, rest up my love." Lauvanna's life will be celebrated privately, in accordance with her family's wishes, as they gather to honor a remarkable woman whose love and kindness will forever remain in their hearts.