Frances Bratcher

Frances Sylvia Simmons Bratcher, 94, died Saturday, January 27, 2007, at Rosewood Health Center. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, February 18th at 3:00 p.m. at Community of Christ Pleasant Heights Congregation in Independence, Mo. Frances was born October 2, 1912 in Holdenville, Oklahoma and moved at an early age to Texas. She married Hubert T. Bratcher in 1936 and they had three daughter. In 1963, she moved to Lamoni, Iowa, serving as a head resident in women�s dormitories at Graceland College until her retirement in 1978. Frances was known as �Mrs. B� to those on campus, was always interested in art, and she earned a degree in art education while at Graceland. She moved to Independence following her retirement and contributed her art talents generously as a member of the Community of Christ Pleasant Heights congregation. She also served as a volunteer at Independence Regional Hospital for 12 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1961, her daughter Janice in 1949, three brothers and two sisters. She is survived by her two daughters Joan (James) Rae of Rochester, Minnesota, and Gayle (Madison) Parker of Aurora, Illinois. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Scott Rae, Deborah Rae (Steve) Fry, Tamryn Parker (Scott) Carver, and Sean Parker, and three great grandchildren, Nicole Fry, 8, Cameron Fry, 5, and Sylvie Parker Carver, three weeks. Other survivors include two brothers, Robert of Carthage and Eldon of Independence.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the Missionary Outreach Fund of the community of Christ or to Outreach International.