Celebrating the life of....Frank Solicitor "Charlie" Bratton

Funeral Service: Wednesday, August 31, 2016

2:00 PM

First Missionary Baptist Church

Church Street

Thomasville, NC 27360

Family Gathering: 606 Cox Avenue 502 Gail Street

Thomasville, NC 27360 Thomasville, NC 27360

The Obituary

On August 25, 2015 Mr. Frank Solicitor Bratton transitioned from this earthly life to life eternal while a patient at High Point Regional Hospital in High Point, North Carolina.

Mr. Bratton was born on October 30, 1931 in Thomasville, North Carolina to the late Waymon and Lucille Duncan Bratton. He was educated in the Thomasville City Schools, graduating from Church Street School with the class of 1950. Mr. Frank was drafted by the United States Army during the Korean War era. When he returned home to Thomasville he married the love of his life Annie Willie Dixon on December 6, 1954 and they were married for sixty-one years. He worked as a board room supervisor at Kayby Hosiery Mill. While at Kayby Mills, he was awarded a certificate for ten years of perfect attendance, and later retired after forty-five years of service. After two years of retirement, Mr. Bratton went to work as a custodian for Liberty Drive Elementary School retiring again after fourteen years.

Mr. Frank loved the Lord and his First Missionary Baptist Church family where he was born and raised. He was active in the ministry at his church serving on the Deacon Board, the Trustee Board, The Finance Committee, as a Boy Scout Leader and as Church custodian. During the civil rights era, he was a willing participant in Thomasville area activities. He participated in local civil rights marches and civil rights meetings sponsored by his church’s then Pastor Reverend W. E. Banks. Mr. Bratton’s activism led to his arrest during some of those protest marches.

He was an avid sports fan who faithfully attended and supported the football and basketball programs of his beloved Thomasville Bulldogs. He enjoyed sitting in his recliner watching the Carolina Panthers football games. As for basketball the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, were his favorite basketball teams. Frank’s favorite pastime was watching old sitcoms. His family will remember him as a good cook, a man who loved to dress nice, and an efficient grocery shopper; he will be affectionately remembered as “Charlie” by his close knit family members.

Mr. Frank was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great grand-father. He will be remembered for his passion and belief of being an adamant provider for his family. He leaves a legacy of good family values, good work ethics and love for the Lord.

He was preceded in death by his son Mitchell Bratton, his siblings: James Waymon Bratton, Reverend John D. Bratton and Katherine B. Small.

Left to cherish his precious memory are his wife Annie Willie Bratton of the home; children Ronald Bratton (Teuresa), Robert Oakley, Tyress Bratton (Kim), Frank Bratton Jr. and Angela Bratton all of Thomasville, NC; one sister Johnnye Mae Hill (Aubrey) of Durham, NC; grandchildren Ronald Bratton Jr., Cyntrelle Buchanan, Kelli Ashe, Brandon Setzer, Ashley Bratton, Marcus Bratton; great grandchildren Kailon Bratton, Rihanna Bratton, Isaiah Bratton, Kadaria Berry, Noah Buchanan, Hezekiah Covington, Tristan Chandler, Makara Green; special cousins Audrey Thompson (Jerry) of Winston-Salem, NC and Thomas Boddie of Thomasville, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

I have fought a good fight,

I have finished my course,

I have kept the faith…

2 Timothy 4: 7

Prayerfully Submitted, The Family

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