Pearl McDonald Bratton

Pearl McDonald Bratton, 88, of Rockingham, passed away Thursday, May 19, 2011 at her home following an extended illness. A lifelong resident of Richmond County, Mrs. Bratton was born July 10, 1922 in the Derby Community, a daughter of the late Hosea Franklin and Lillie Mae Lomax McDonald. She graduated from Hoffman High School, where she played on the girl’s basketball team. She was a founding member of Park Avenue Presbyterian Church, where she had been awarded an Honorary Life Membership in the Women of the Church and had been employed with Belk’s Department Store for many years. Her husband Virgil Bratton preceded her in death. Surviving are her children, Ginny Moore and husband Jimmie of Rockingham, Linda Hensley and husband Joe of Greensboro, Bob Bratton and wife JoAnn of Clayton; grandchildren, Pam Wildes and husband Alan, Kamara Carpenter and husband Scott, Joe Hensley, Jr. and wife Sarah White, Sam Hensley and wife Erin, Ashley Atwell and husband Jason, Andy Bratton; great-grandchildren, Jackson and Annabelle Wildes, Haley and Alex Carpenter, Lucy and Stella Hensley; sisters, Mary Elliot Pullen of Laurinburg, Lillian Jackson of Rockingham; brother, I.D. McDonald of Raleigh; 16 nieces and nephews including special nephew, Del Jackson and wife Anya and their children Lauren Jackson , Ashley Kaase, her husband Richard and their children, Richard and Lauren; and special friends, Janice, Amber, Mary Jo and Pawnee. A service to celebrate the life of Pearl Bratton will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, May 28, 2011 at Park Avenue Presbyterian Church with Rev. Bob Vickers officiating. Private entombment was held in the Richmond County Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will greet friends following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Park Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1912 Crescent Dr., Rockingham, NC 28379, Richmond County Hospice, 1119 N US 1 Hwy, Rockingham, NC 28379 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.