Obituaries

Lester Jewell Bratton

Photo of Lester Jewell Bratton
Lester Jewell Bratton of Sheridan, Ark., was born Jan. 22, 1927 in Sheridan, Ark., the son of the late Jewell F. and Mae Reynolds Bratton. He was a member of First Landmark Baptist Church in Sheridan, and was in the US Army, having served in the Korean War. Mr. Bratton died Monday, Oct. 9, 2017 at CHI St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock at the age of 90. He was the oldest member of the Sheridan Lions Club, having joined in 1960, and being an active member ever since. He held every office, participated in every fundraiser and has been an example to many young members who followed through the years. He was always dedicated to serving his community and helping others. In 1960, he helped organize the American Legion baseball program in Sheridan. He managed and coached the team for over 10 years. He also, along with his wife and son, traveled as a Bird Dog Scout for the Cardinals. He retired from International Paper Company, Woodlands Division, and then owned a forestry consulting business for over 20 years. He enjoyed hunting, and watching any kind of sports, especially the Razorbacks. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of over 63 years, Johnnie Blackerby Bratton; sisters, Gladys Reaves and Loreze Waddle; brothers, James Bratton, Evan Bratton, Hershel Bratton and a grandson who died Oct. 4, 2017, Tyler Bratton. Survivors: son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Michele Bratton of Belleair, Fla.; grandsons, Brian Bratton and Jason Bratton, and a host of nieces, nephews, church family and friends. Funeral service will be 10 a.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017 at First Landmark Baptist Church in Sheridan with Bro. Shawn Hill and Bro. Doney Blackerby officiating. Burial will follow at Grapevine Cemetery in Grapevine. Visitation will be Monday, at the funeral home, from 5-7 p.m. Pallbearers are his nephews; Byron Blackerby, Thomas Blackerby, Joe Ellis Blackerby, Vance Blackerby, Larry Hedden, Wayne Taylor, Joe Lynn Waddle and Russell Waddle. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sheridan Lions Club, P.O. Box 311, Sheridan, Ark., 72150 or Grant County Museum, 521 Shackelford, Sheridan, Ark., 72150 Arrangements by Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan (870) 942-1306. www.memorialgardenssheridan.com.

Published October 15, 2017

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