Bratton, Laura Alfreda, age 81, of Knoxville, died Sunday, February 12, 2012 of heart failure. As long as her health permitted, she was an active and loving member of Colonial Heights United Methodist Church. She was born to Bob and Veala Stovall of Blytheville, Arkansas. She is survived by her husband of sixty years, Edward Bratton of Knoxville; her son-in-law and daughter, Fred and Laura Glogger of Ocala, Florida; sons, Robert Bratton of Knoxville, William Bratton of Louisville, KY, and James Bratton of Crossville. Her grandchildren are William T. Bratton and Blake Gabriel Bratton of Louisville, KY; Shaylee Grace Bratton, Miranda Hope Bratton, and Edward Boone Bratton of Knoxville; Hannah Elizabeth Bratton, James Edward Bratton, Irelyn Alfreda Bratton, and Ava Olivia Bratton of Crossville. Alfreda grew up in and around Number Nine, Arkansas, almost always riding a horse (or mule) to school through cotton fields where she later passed out voter registration materials to working field hands. She attended Central
College and the University of Arkansas. She was a certified volunteer for CONTACT, helping latch-key children and shut-ins in the Knoxville area. For many years, she was an efficient and multitalented volunteer Girl Friday at annual conventions of the South Atlantic Modern Language Association in Atlanta, Jacksonville, and the District of Columbia, where she was also a superb and gracious hostess to internationally distinguished poets, novelists, scholars, actors, and directors. She possessed a brilliantly common touch in interacting with those of uncommon intellect and talent. She died as she lived, with an abundance of grace and gumption. The family will receive friends, Thursday, February 16, 2012 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. with a service to follow at 7:00 p.m. at Colonial Heights United Methodist Church, located at 6321 Chapman Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920. Condolences may be offered at www.sherwoodchapel.net.
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