Maleta Bratcher

Maleta Webb Bratcher was born January 9, 1933 at home in Richardson Cove, Sevier County, Tennessee, the daughter of the late Raymond H. Webb and Faye Maples Webb. Her father died when she was young, and her mother married Joseph E. Burchfield of Knoxville. Maleta graduated from Knoxville Central High School in 1949, and attended the University of Tennessee. She married Robert F. Bratcher December 20, 1952, and they had two children, who survive, Robert F. Bratcher, Jr. (Suzanne) of Collierville, and Sandra B. (Sandy) Rich (Lyle) of Henderson. Maleta later received a nursing degree from Vanderbilt University, graduating in 1966.

Maleta had a servant’s heart, and was always involved in helping others during her career as an RN, working at the Shelby County Nursing Home and the Arlington Hospital and School. Her focus was on mental health nursing, and she later worked with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health, retiring as Director of Adult Services. She and Bob lived the majority of their retirement in Shelbyville.

Maleta lived a robust, full life, and was blessed to live 92 years on this earth. She was loved by anyone who ever met her and will be missed by many. She loved Jesus and all the churches she attended with all her heart, was active in the choir wherever she lived, served as a Sunday School teacher, and volunteered for other leadership roles. She loved fishing, working out in the yard, tending to her roses, and crocheting hats for cancer patients. Maleta always loved the mountains, and regularly returned there to see family and the hills she loved so.

Mrs. Bratcher was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and three sisters-Vivian Heath and Gayle Betterman of Orlando, and Karen Burchfield of Knoxville. She is survived by her two children, four grand-children-Kevin Rich (Kelly) of Humboldt, Christopher Rich (Amanda) of Pinson, Joshua Bratcher (Carolyn) of Trussville, AL, Abbey Bratcher Parrish (Hudson) of Germantown, and four great-grandchildren-Hannah, Allie and Frankie Rich of Pinson, and Barrett Bratcher of Trussville, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Bratcher was cremated as she wished. A memorial service will be planned and announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Sanford Hill Baptist Church WMU Backpack Ministry, 644 Sanford Street, Henderson, TN 38340.