A Celebration of Life for Valerie McCarty Bradley, age 76, of Elora, TN, will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Higgins Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will take place from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Friday at Higgins.

Valerie was born on July 28, 1948, in Dunbar, Scotland, to the late Robert Smith and Elizabeth Hanton Smith. She pursued higher education at both Edinburgh University and New York University, and dedicated her career to nursing, with a focus on psychiatric and hospice care. A lifelong learner and avid traveler, Valerie explored the world and was fluent in English, Japanese, and French. She was known for her kind, gentle spirit and deep compassion for her patients, her family, and her beloved animals. Valerie passed away on June 3, 2025, at The Waters of Winchester in Winchester, TN.

She is survived by her daughter, Shonagh (Franklin) O’Neal; grandson, Kendel McCarty; granddaughters, Katie Kitchen, Kali Pigg, and Kelcie Pigg; and nine great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Valerie was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” Bradley; her daughter, Alison Pigg; and her grandson, Ethan Pigg.

Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Valerie McCarty Bradley.