Submitted by: Dan Rich

South Bend Tribune 9/12/2001

Thelma I. Bratton

May 6, 1908 - Sept. 9, 2001

Thelma I. Bratton, 93, of South Bend, IN, passed away at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, September 9, 2001, in her home.

Mrs. Bratton was born on May 6, 1908, in Texhoma, OK. She retired from the South Bend Community School Corporation as a teacher. She last taught at Ardmore School. In 1928 she taught in a one- room schoolhouse in Oklahoma. In 1963, she taught in a two-room schoolhouse, Howe School in Buchanan, MI.

On April 26, 1930, in Texhoma, OK, as Thelma I. Fry, she married Lloyd A. Bratton, who preceded her in death on April 20, 1995. Surviving are her four sons, Harold Bratton of Tippecanoe, IN, Richard (Jody) Bratton of Celina, TN, Dale (Judy) Bratton of South Bend, IN, David (Esther) Bratton of Vandalia, MI; eleven grandchildren, Kathy, David, Robert, Michael, Timothy, Larry, Vickie, Kenny, Deanna, Andy, Kim; twelve great-grandchildren; her sister, Winnibel (Harold) Holmes of Fredericksburg, VA; and by two brothers, Bert (Volita) Fry of Hennessy, OK., and Gayle Fry of Marion, MS.

Her sister, Nellie Fry Shuford, preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 13, 2001, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today, Sept. 12, in the funeral home.

Mrs. Bratton was a lifetime member of the Northwest United Methodist Church. She graduated from Bethel College the same time her youngest son graduated from high school.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Northwest United Methodist Church, 21855 Brick Road, South Bend, IN 46628.