Rachel W Bradford

Rachel Christine Wiles Bradford, 52, passed away on Saturday, September 14, in her home and surrounded by her loved ones, two and a half years after being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. She is survived by her husband Wes Bradford and their daughters Sophia and Cara Bradford. 

Rachel was born on October 1, 1971 to Francis “Lee” Dilday Wiles and Fredrick “Fred” Webb Wiles in Atlanta, Georgia. Rachel was a true Girl Scout- she spent her early years dancing, getting straight As and babysitting her little brother Brian. Throughout high school and college, she saw bands such as R.E.M. in and around Georgia. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Education in 1993. Eighteen years and two children later, Rachel obtained her Master of Education while working full time.

In 1994, Rachel met Wes Bradford at a convention in Greenville. They dated long distance for a year before Rachel moved to Charleston. Wes and Rachel married on June 21, 1997 in Lexington. Three years later, they welcomed their daughter Cara. Sophia was born January 2006. Rachel worked for the Charleston County School District for 25 years. She taught at Mary Ford, Sanders Clyde, and Harbor View elementary schools. Rachel was crowned Teacher of the Year in 2010 and 2016. In 2021, Rachel left Harbor View to return to Sanders Clyde, this time as a reading coach. While Rachel missed having a classroom, she appreciated the challenge and reconnected with friends she taught alongside decades ago. 

Rachel couldn’t go anywhere without being stopped by an old friend or former student. An avid scrapbooker, Rachel kept every class photo. She loved reading and discussing books with her book club and daughter Cara. Like many teachers, she brought her work home with her, where she would grade papers while watching everything from “Survivor” to “RuPaul’s Drag Race” with her daughter Sophia. While Rachel insisted she couldn’t cook, she loved to feed people. Friends and family going out to eat with Rachel knew if they wanted to pay, they needed to slip the waiter their card when she wasn’t looking. She spent most of her life giving and giving back to her students, family, friends and community. 

A celebration of Rachel’s life will be held at James Island Presbyterian Church on Saturday September 21st at 2:00 p.m.