Brady Joyce Vardeman, 80, of Abilene, Texas (formerly of Helena, Montana), died Friday, October 27, 2023, at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest in Abilene with Associate Rector Amanda Watson officiating.

Brady was born June 29, 1943, in Breckenridge, TX, to Armour Gamel and Madge Mell (Phillips) Vardeman as the second of three children. She graduated from Artesia High School in Artesia, New Mexico. Throughout her life, the pursuit of education was of paramount importance to her. In addition to a nursing degree, Brady earned a bachelor's degree from Hardin-Simmons University, a master's degree from the University of Kansas, and a doctoral degree in education from Baylor University. During her career, she served most notably as nursing instructor at Methodist Medical Center in Dallas, director of nursing and allied health at Northeast Kansas College of Technology, dean and campus provost at Austin (TX) Community College, associate commissioner of higher learning in the Montana university system, and vice president for academic affairs at Floyd College in Rome, GA.

Her increasing interest in religion eventually drew her into full-time study at the University of Emmanuel College in Saskatchewan, Canada, where she received a master's degree in divinity. She was later ordained an Episcopal priest and served at St. Peter's Cathedral in Helena, Montana, and held the position of dean of the Diocesan School of Theology there. She also served as the executive director of the Montana Association of Churches until her retirement.

Known for her great enthusiasm and exuberance for life, Brady had a lifelong affinity for vintage Mercedes and other German imports, as well as sports cars of all makes. Her greatest love, however, was for animals. She especially loved dogs and cats of all breeds, and she adopted many of them throughout her life. For decades, she also owned a beautiful Arabian stallion and a highly intelligent Amazon Grey parrot.

Brady was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Gayla Corley and brother-in-law Charles Corley and their son Charles (Chip) Corley; her brother Marlo (Hap) Vardeman; her nephew Cody Vardeman; her best friend Arla Barkemeyer; and her husband of many years ago, Joe Franklin Taylor.

Brady is survived by her sister-in-law, Vicki Vardeman of Hobbs, New Mexico; three nieces, Fadzai Mandyangove (husband Tichawona Mashambanhaka) of Abilene, Shari Shipler (Jamey) of Northlake, TX and Nivea Muro (Adrian) of Midland, TX; as well as one nephew, Dennis Raines of Midland, TX. Surviving great nephews are Danford Mashambanhaka (Linda) of Houston, TX, Derek Shipler and Brandon Shipler of Northlake, TX and Marlo Logan Vardeman of Hobbs, NM. Surviving great nieces are Shelby Shipler (Felicia) of Haltom City, TX, Gayla Mashambanhaka (husband Emmanuel Hlupho) of Abilene, Nikki Garcia of San Angelo, TX and Sarah Rayos of Midland, TX.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to a local animal shelter in honor of Brady's enduring love for animals.