Morris Harvey Bratton – June 24, 2015
Morris Harvey Bratton died June 24, 2015. A memorial service was held at First UMC in Georgetown, Texas, July 4.
Morris Harvey Bratton was born in Cleburne, Texas, Jan. 20, 1924, to Harvey Bratton and Anne Boulware Bratton. His twin sister, Moye Ann Bratton Beauchle predeceased him. An older sister lives in Fayetteville, Ark.
Bratton served in the Navy during WWII, and returned to Southwestern University to complete his BA in 1947. He then went to Yale Divinity School, where he graduated in 1951, joining as an active member of the Southwest Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church.
On June 15, 1948, he married the love of his life, Nettie Ruth Brucks. They had two children who survive.
Bratton served as pastor for several churches: East Village Methodist in Monroe, Connecticut; then several churches in Texas. He also served as the Program Coordinator and Bible Instructor at the Methodist Student Center at the University of Texas, the Director of Religious Life at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and as the President of Washington International College in Washington, D.C. In addition, he worked in several capacities for the Peace Corps, training volunteers and staff around the world. His final employment was with the Baltimore-Washington Conference, working for the renewal and revitalization of local congregations.
He was a stellar athlete, both at the high school and college levels. He played football at Southwestern University in both the 1943 and 1944 Sun Bowl championship games in which Southwestern competed.
Bratton loved the church. From the time he was a young man in Cleburne, Texas, until he was no longer able, he participated in the life of the Methodist Church wherever he was. He worked for justice, taking to heart the scriptural entreaty of Micah 6:8: “He has told you, O Man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness and to walk humbly with your God.” From his days working for equality through the civil rights movement to his time supporting those who opposed senseless war to his time standing for economic justice throughout the world, his humble sense of humor and stubborn optimism allowed those around him to maximize their own longings for peace and for justice.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Nettie Ruth, his son, Chris Brucks Bratton and wife; daughter, Brenda Bratton Blom and husband; seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He is also survived by a bonus daughter, Barbara Bratton and a bonus son, Appletree (Frank) Rodden,
Condolences may be sent to Nettie Ruth Bratton, 139 Estrella Xing, Unit 127, Georgetown, TX 78628-7059.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Morris Bratton Scholarship Fund at Southwestern University by sending a check to the Gift Programs Office, Southwestern University, PO Box 770, Georgetown, Texas 78627-0770, or www.southwestern.edu/makeagift. Or contribute to Wesleyan Homes Benevolent Fund, PO Box 486, Georgetown, Texas 78627, or www.wesleyanhomes.org.