Mary H. Bratton

Mary Ledele Haralson was born in Fort Payne, Alabama on the 3rd of June 1933, to Judge William Jeff and LeDelle Hawkins Haralson. She died peacefully at home on Monday, the 12th of February, at 90 years of age.

Mary graduated from DeKalb County High School and attended The Gulf Park College for Women in Gulfport, Mississippi, for her freshman year of college. She transferred to The University of Alabama as a sophomore, pledging Alpha Gamma Delta. Named Outstanding Pledge, she was awarded a diamond pin (!) but what she truly treasured were the lifelong friends she made and kept.

Upon graduation in 1955, Mary moved to Atlanta for a job with Eastern Airlines. She happily transferred to Birmingham a year later and lived with her dear friend Coleman Cross in The Highland Towers. It was there on a July day in 1958 that she met Jim Bratton in the elevator. By November they were engaged. The 7th of February 1959 was bright and crisp; it was the perfect day for a high noon wedding at The First Presbyterian Church of Fort Payne.

Settling in Birmingham, Jim pursued forming a new company. He and Mary welcomed twin daughters Elizabeth and Carrie in June of 1960. Three months later they moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where Jim and his partner founded Nashville Steel Corporation. Their young family resided in Nashville welcoming a son, John in 1965 and another daughter Mary Grace in 1971. Over their twelve years in Nashville, Mary and Jim were members at Westminster Presbyterian Church and Richland Country Club. Mary was also active in the Alpha Gamma Delta Nashville Alumnae Club. She handled being the mother of four with grace and laughter.

In August of 1972 business opportunities beckoned, and Mary and Jim moved their family to Texas. Texas, and Houston in particular, agreed with Mary. She loved her Tynewood neighbors, who also became lifelong friends. She loved hot weather, Mexican food, and shopping trips to Laredo. She loved the beach and their house in Galveston. She played tennis at the Houston Racquet Club, volunteered with the Houston Ballet Guild, and enjoyed lectures at The Women’s Institute. Mary was a dedicated supporter of Child Advocates. In 2007 she was the honoree of Child Advocates Angels of Hope Luncheon.

Mary and Jim came to St. Philip Presbyterian Church in 1974 and made this open and caring congregation their church home. She served as a Ruling Elder, as President of the Women of the Church, and in the early 2000’s she was the driving force behind a Bible study that still meets weekly. Even as her health declined she was not fearful, but faithful.

Mary was predeceased by her parents and her husband, James Bratton. She is survived by her four children: Elizabeth Bratton (Michael King) and her children Jeff, Liz (Clint Brown) and Michael (Samantha Derrett); Carrie Pepi, her husband Al, and their three sons George (Krissy Pepi), Bennett (Elizabeth Aksamit) and Wallace (Rachel Chang); John Bratton, his wife Kelly Fox, and their two children Grayson and Elizabeth; and Mary Grace Carter, her husband David, and their two children Eleanor and Jack. She is also survived by her brother Judge William Wallace Haralson and his wife Ann, their two daughters Susanna Campbell and Kathryn Norris and their families.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks for the kindness and support of Mary’s friends over this last year. So many new friends were made at the Hallmark, her home since 2019. The kindness and support of the Hallmark staff has been greatly appreciated by her family. We also want to thank her wonderful caregivers (Soyla, Sharon, Joanise, Kimberly, Judith, Nargis, and Ijeoma) for their dignified care and attention.

A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Thursday, the 15th of February, at St. Philip Presbyterian Church, 4807 San Felipe Street in Houston, where Pastor John Wurster will officiate. Those unable to attend may access the livestream on the church website at saintphilip.net .

Immediately following the service, all are invited to join the family for a reception at the church.

Prior to the service, the family will gather for a private interment at Glenwood Cemetery.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that any memorial contributions in

Mary’s name be directed to Child Advocates, 3701 Kirby Drive, #400, Houston, Texas, 77098; or to St. Philip Presbyterian Church, 4807 San Felipe Street, Houston, Texas, 77056. Direct access to donations pages provided below by selecting their respective icons under "Donations."

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