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Donald Bratton Obituary
Donald Dale Bratton, Sr., age 74, of Pass Christian died Friday, September 14, 2007 in Ocean Springs. Mr. Bratton was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio and was a longtime resident of the Gulf Coast.
He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict and worked for Mississippi Power Co. for nineteen years. He retired from the Civil Engineering Squadron at KAFB. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
He was preceded in death by his father, Dale Bratton and his mother, Beryl Harris; and a great-grandchild, Ava Marie Naquin.
Mr. Bratton is survived by his wife, Mary Benvenutti Bratton of Pass Christian; three daughters, Mary Cabrini Cadrecha of Steamboat Springs, CO, Terresa Bratton Huggins of Raceland LA, and Melanie Jean Gregory of Chicago, IL; two sons, Donald Dale Bratton, Jr. and Brian Jude Bratton, both of Ocean Springs; a brother, Larry Campbell Bratton of Moundsville, WV; ten grandchildren, Gina Marie Cadrecha, Jessica Lane Naquin, Donald Dale Bratton, III, Carlie Lane Cadrecha, Brian Robert Huggins, Christopher Adam Gregory, Matthew Kyle Bratton, Michael David Cadrecha, Joshua Lee Bratton, and Brittany Louise Bratton; and a great-grandchild, Isabella Claire Naquin.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at 12:30 p.m. at Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pineville where friends may visit from 11:30 a.m. until the service. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery with military honors.
The family prefers memorials to American Heart Association, P.O. Box 638, Gulfport, MS 39502 or the Alzheimer's Foundation of the South Mississippi Division, 4803 Harrison Circle, Gulfport, MS 39507.
Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Road, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements.
View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Donald Bratton
Melanie
May 15, 2025
Hi dad, just thinking of you , love you. Mel
Melanie
September 16, 2024
Dad saints are 2 and 0. It going to be another great year. Let´s go saints. Another Super Bowl
Melanie Gregory
September 12, 2024
Hi Dad, today is Mom's Birthday. Thinking of you today, as always, but especially today, and this coming Friday. I miss your smile ! You are an angel in heaven, please keep watching over down here in this crazy world.
Love Melanie
Melanie
July 9, 2024
Hi dad. Merry Christmas . You were known for your Christmas trees. These are in honor of you. Love you and miss you, your loving daughter Melanie
MELANIE
Nov 30, 2023
Melanie Bratton Gregory
September 13, 2023
Hi Dad, it's me again. What can I say? O, I'm a grandma again. Mila is the spitting image of me as a baby, and your mother. You can't tell our baby pictures apart. She is a handful, smart as a whip. Heather loves being an older loving sister. I am so proud of how Adam is raising those girls to be best friends! Time is going by so quickly. Life has given us challenges with cancer and other health issues, but I am pushing forward. Your persistance, perserverance, loving and kind nature is what I am trying to imitate in the face of adversity! Thank you for everything you have taught me about life. Until we meet again I love you.
Melanie
January 10, 2022
Dad, thinking of you today, on your birthday. You were my inspiration and hero. I miss you.
Mel
September 15, 2008
Dad,
Yesterday marked one year since your passing. As I sit here and think, it does not seem like it has been that long. I know you are with me as I walk thru each day. Yesterday was a time of celebration, on two fronts. The celebration of your passage into heaven and a beautiful life, as well as two lives starting new as one. I was able to spend yesterday with friends and family, knowing that they are as kind hearted; as well as, sweet and gentle like you. Thanks for watching over all of us, and keep me from messing up as I continue my journey in this earthly life. Thanks for bringing a wonderful family into my life, All my love
Melanie Gregory
February 10, 2008
Dad, your birthday has come and gone. I still couldn't resist placing the order for the "honeybell oranges". The one's I sent you every birthday. I had them sent to the house and will get them next week. I will think of you while I am eating them. Oh, I wanted to thank you for that awesome superbowl. I know you had something to do with helping out "Eli".... See prayers do work. Adam is doing well, and you would be so proud of him. He is caring for a young woman who is paralyzed from C-1 down. He has your heart of gold, your eyes of stone blue and your James Dean looks. Keep praying for all of us. I love You Mel
Melanie Gregory
December 23, 2007
Dad, I have mom with me right now. She will be in her own home for the holidays. She doesn't want to go and see you. She says she isn't ready right now. I have to respect that. We miss you greatly. Please watch over us all, as you did when you were here.
Love Mel
Melanie Gregory
December 11, 2007
Dad, I sit here with tears rolling down my cheeks. Friday will be exactly three months since we lost you. I only hope it gets easier. I can not imagine what Erica feels on the death of Judith. I know you guys are up there in Heaven watching out for all of us. You are at peace now along with Meme,Papa,Judith,Uncle Ben,and Ava Marie-
It is Christmas time now, and I know how you loved Christmas. Terresa misses you greatly as we all do. Please keep watch over your family, and know that your grand-sons are so proud of you.
I love you
Melanie
Melanie Gregory
October 28, 2007
Dad,
I didn't get a chance to tell you Happy Anniversary 55th on the 19th. I took mom out shopping, to lunch and dinner to celebrate the day. We came by to see you, and talk to you. We left some begonias for you. They were in fall colors. It was a beautiful fall day, the kind of day that was your favorite. The air was clean, the wind was brisk, and it was cool. The lord made that day just for you. Mom is doing OK, it will get better as time goes on. I am missing you, and I ask that you watch out for me, just like you always have. I love you and just wanted you to know that you left such a big impression on me, that I hope to conitnue on and be the person that you were. You touched a lot of lives. Please watch over all of your children. Bella won another pagent. She truly is a living doll. She talks up a storm.
Not a day goes by that we do not think about you. We love you dearly.
Melanie
Gail Ruspoli
September 26, 2007
Mary, Cabrini, Terresa, Melanie, Brian and Donald:
May our Lord and Savior, Jesus, bring you comfort and strength at this time in your lives. Frank and I have so many memories of all of you which started at your home on Menge Avenue all the way to the home on Pecan Road. We miss seeing all of you. God bless all of you. Your dad still decorated the best trees around for Christmas!
Frank and Gail Ruspoli
Claudine Nardo
September 21, 2007
Dear Melanie and family, my deepest sympathy to you all at this time. May God bless you and get you through the rough times.
Best wishes,
Claudine Nardo - Focused Health Solutions, support center
Tiffany Johnson
September 20, 2007
Mrs.Bratton my deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family.I really loved taking care of Don when i worked at Ocean Spring Nursing Facilty.From the first time I met Don i realized he was a special person.He always made me smile and laugh.i will truly miss him.
Susan Docherty
September 20, 2007
MaeMae, Cabrini, Donnie, Terresa, Melanie, Brian-
Uncle Don may no longer be on this earth, but will forever be an angel in Heaven - the star's in the grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's eyes. We will all remember him in many ways. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Susan and Family
Jan Harper
September 19, 2007
Mae Mae, Cabrini, Donnie, Terresa, Melanie, & Brian,
Uncle Don will forever be in our thoughts, our hearts, and in our prayers. He has now crossed through the gates of Heaven where he joins God and many of our loved ones. May he become your special Angel and forever be with all of you in spirit until you are together again.
God bless you all.
Fred and Neldra McDonald
September 19, 2007
Our sympathy and prayers are with you and your family for the passing of Don.
Melanie Williams - FHS RN
September 19, 2007
Melanie and Family, My deepest sympathy goes out to all of you. You will be in my heart and prayers in this time of grief.
May fond memories help ease your sorrow.
The Staff and Management of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Homes
September 19, 2007
We extend our sincere sympathy and value your trust during this time of remembrance and reflection. We pledge our support now and in the future.
Sue Ann (Gordon) Traugh
September 18, 2007
Patch, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in the passing of Donnie. I remember when we were kid's in Martins Ferry ,Ohio we knew each other for years at Aunt Sissy and Uncle Jay's home. We had such good times then. God Bless all of you in this time of need.
Barbara Webster
September 18, 2007
Cabrini - I wish to express my sincere sympathy to you and your family at this most difficult time. May God bless each of you.
Kathy Allen LPN/MRA
September 18, 2007
My condolences go out to your family in this time of sadness. It was an honor to have part in Mr. Donalds care and I thank you for the privledge. Please let me know of anything I can do .
Sue LaRocque RN FHS
September 18, 2007
Melanie
I was sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking of you and will keep you and your family in prayer at this time.
Isabella Wiznitzer
September 18, 2007
With deepest condolences.
Isabella-Diabetes Educator(FHS)
Tom Carroll
September 18, 2007
Patch, I hope you remember me. Walt's cousin. Walt and I use to talk about the trip we made to Kentucky in the mid 50's. Great time.
I'm awfull sorry for your losing your brother. Please give all his family my best. Walt would have felt the same I'm sure. Tom.
September 18, 2007
Dear Melanie and Family,
It’s evident to all of us that your father was a wonderful, kind, talented man who loved his family deeply, and raised his daughter to have the same special, extraordinary traits.
Our sincere sympathy goes to you and your family. Eternal be the memory of your beloved father.
With Sympathy and Love,
Your friends in Enrollment at FHS
Jeanette, Don and Elaine
Brenda Breaux
September 18, 2007
Cabrini - Deepest sympathy to you and your family. I know you will miss your father. May the sorrow be relieved with every loving memory.
Betty Dyess
September 18, 2007
Mary,
I am so sorry and heartbroken to hear of Don's death. My love and deepest sympathy go to your and your family.
God Bless and keep you in his loving arms.
Love and Prayers,
Betty, Terry and Stacey Dyess
Marc Gibbs
September 18, 2007
The staff of Trinity Hospice wants your family to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.We are sorry for your loss.
Melanie Bratton-Gregory
September 18, 2007
Dad,
We are never prepared for this day. I often think of the values and kindness you taught in your life. I will miss our talks on the telephone, and comparing football scores. There is a special place for you in heaven. I never heard you udder an unkind word about anybody, and you were always there for mom and your children. Watching how kind you were to others growing up, taught me that helping others was important. I remember our Sunday night church outings while you waited on me at CYO. Watching high school football on Friday night, college ball on Saturday and NFL on Sunday and Monday was one of our favorite things to do. I am grateful for the wonderful memories I have. Your cooking was awesome, and being in the kitchen with you was always a learning experience. I will miss you, save a place for me in Heaven,
Your loving Daughter,
Melanie
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