Jesse M. Bratton Jr.

Jesse M. Bratton Jr., 86, of Vinton, Va., passed away on Friday, November 6, 2009. He was born in Staunton on January 14, 1923, son of the late Jesse Melville Bratton Sr. and Pearl Hanger Bratton. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Gordon Bratton; and a brother, Paul Hanger Bratton. Rev. Bratton served in the United States Army during World War II. He graduated from Virginia Tech and Union Seminary. He served as pastor at many Presbyterian churches in Virginia, West Virginia, and South Carolina. He is survived by his three children, Katherine Bratton, of Greenville, N.C., Jess M. Bratton and his wife, Tanya, of Moscow, Russia, and Jackson Bratton, of Raleigh, N.C.; three grandchildren, Eugene Bratton, Michael Bratton, and Gregory Bratton; and several extended family members. Funeral services will be private. The family will receive friends on Monday, November 16, 2009, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Oakey's Vinton Chapel, 540-982-2221.