Rev. Clayburn C. Bratton Jr.

In the spring of 1963, he made the decision to follow the Lord in full-time work in the pastoral ministry. He graduated from Southern Baptist College (now Williams Baptist College) in Walnut Ridge. Following that, he went to Ouachita Baptist University and graduated in 1967. Then he went to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas, graduating in 1970. He pastored New Hope Baptist Church in Hardy, Third Street Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, First Baptist Church in Earle, First Baptist Church in Charleston, First Baptist Church in Stamps, James Fork Baptist Church in Mansfield, and Trinity Baptist Church in Alma. After retirement in 1992 he and his wife, Jessie, were very active in volunteer missions, especially Arkansas Campers On Mission.

He served with the occupation forces in Germany following World War II, then spent a total of 37 years in the Army Reserves and National Guard, retiring as a Lt. Colonel.

He married Jessie Mae Hice on December 7, 1946. She preceded him in death on October 29, 2007. He is survived by his two daughters and sons-in-law, Vicki and Wayne Winkle, and Luann and Miles Williams. He is also survived by two brothers, Roy Bratton and Julius Bratton. Other survivors include four grandchildren, Mandi and Tim Gushing, Megan and James Matlock, Allison Williams, and Alex Williams. Six great-grandchildren: Collin, Cade, and Jaden Gushing, and Emily, Abby, and Lexie Matlock. He is also survived by a very special friend, Reita Rowell.

The family will receive family and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 3, at Edwards Funeral Home. A family interment will take place on Monday, April 4, at Rose Lawn Cemetery in Ft. Smith. A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday at East Side Baptist Church.

Honorary pall bearers will be members of his Sunday School class at East Side Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to Arkansas Campers On Mission, 10 Remington Drive, Little Rock, AR 72204 or Oaks Manor Conference Center, 3909 Hwy 282, Van Buren, AR 72956