Julie Anne Bradshaw Sackett

Julie Anne Bradshaw Sackett passed away Tuesday, February 11, peacefully and with her four children by her side. She was born Jun. 27, 1943, in Chicago, IL, and was the daughter of Clinton Bradshaw and Florette Frazier Bradshaw.

Julie grew up in Flossmoor, Illinois, and graduated from Homewood-Flossmoor High School. She moved east and attended Sweet Briar College, where she majored in political economy, and met the love of her life, Henry Sackett, who was a student at nearby Washington and Lee University. She graduated from Sweet Briar in 1965. Julie and Henry married on July 31, 1965, and lived in Charlottesville, where their son, Henry, was born, and then in Richmond, where they welcomed their second son, Matt. The family then moved to Lynchburg, where daughter Emily and son Christopher were born.

Julie was a devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She also had many varied and creative interests and talents that she enjoyed sharing with others. She was an able and adventurous cook and provided many handwritten recipes to her daughter and daughters-in-law. She was an avid gardener whose beautifully landscaped yard brought joy and inspiration to friends, family, and neighbors and was the site of many garden tours. Her exquisite flowers – the abundant daylilies and peonies in particular – adorned weddings near and far.

Julie’s handmade quilts were works of art that she created and generously gifted to family and friends. And she shared her passion for reading and love of books with her children and grandchildren, whose full libraries she built one cherished gift at a time, with thoughtful, personal inscriptions in each. As her children grew up and left the nest, Julie filled the extra space with much-loved English Springer Spaniels. For many years, she was a daily fixture walking – or being walked by – four dogs at once down Rivermont Avenue. Sooner, Wicket, Chessa, India, French, Fleurie, Layla, Willie, and her most recent companion, Field, each held a special place in her heart and on her lap.

Julie is survived by her children: Henry (Lucy) Sackett of Greensboro, NC, Matt (Cathy) Sackett of Lynchburg, VA, Emily (Roy Woolwine) Mumford of Richmond, VA, and Christopher (Drewry) Sackett of Lexington, VA; 12 adoring grandchildren: Ansley, Matthew (Melissa), Molly, Julia, Annie (Caleb), Mary Elizabeth, Sally, Robert, Rosa, Henry, Bee and Walker; great-granddaughter Bexley and a great-grandson on the way; brother-in-law Luck (Laura) Sackett and sister-in-law Ann (Bobby) Harris, both of Lynchburg. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, Henry; her parents and brothers, David Bradshaw and Jon Bradshaw; son-in-law, Keith Mumford, and grandson, Frank Woolwine.

A celebration of Julie’s life will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lynchburg, VA, on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. If you were fortunate enough to receive a quilt from Julie, please honor her by bringing it to the church and draping it on the pew. The family will receive friends at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Matthew Sackett on Friday, Feb. 28, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, Mar. 1, at St. John’s immediately following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that friends contribute to the Lynchburg Humane Society, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, or Lynchburg Beacon of Hope. The family extends our sincere thanks to Barbara Reynolds and the nurses and staff of The Key and Runk & Pratt, who so lovingly cared for Julie.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.