Rev. Lawrence Bratcher, age 85

Rev. Lawrence Bratcher, age 85 of Mammoth Cave, departed this life on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at The Medical Center at Bowling Green.  The Hart County native was born on June 15, 1938 to the late Chasteen and Dorothy Wood Bratcher.  He was married to his devoted, loving wife of sixty-one years, Madge Newton Bratcher, who survives.  
 
Rev. Lawrence worked for many years at Brownsville Manufacturing, and later at Campbell Hausfeld in Leitchfield.  He was saved as a twenty-seven year old man, and later called to the Lord’s ministry.  He was a faithful member of Otter Gap Missionary Baptist Church, and was ordained to preach on October 20, 1971.  During that time, he helped many lost souls, and pastored three churches, Pine Grove United Baptist Church of Hart County, Sulphur Wells Missionary Baptist Church and Broadford United Baptist Church. In his later years, even though his health was failing, he continued to go to church and work for the Lord.  Rev. Lawrence was a wonderful Christian example for his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and brothers and sisters in Christ.  
 
Besides his wife, Madge, he leaves to honor his memory— his daughters, Lisa Booth (Barry), Donna Ray (Kevin), Connie Cox (Lee) and Amy Meador (Craig); grandchildren, Chad Carroll (Taylor), Kyle Ray (Amanda), Lauren Carroll, Dawson Cox, Lexi Cox, Cole Meador and Ashlyn Meador; seven great-grandchildren and two brothers, Oddis Bratcher (Diane) and Jerry Bratcher (Rachel).  He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Estil Morgan, Carolyn Wheeler, Roberta Clare, Geneva Cain and brothers, Ray and Wilford Bratcher.  
 
Interment will be in Otter Gap Church Cemetery.  Memorial contributions can be made to:  Otter Gap Church Cemetery Fund, c/o William Cowles.    
 
VISITATION   
3—7 PM, Saturday, January 20, 2024

10 AM—7 PM, Sunday, January 21, 2024
Patton Funeral Home Brownsville Chapel

10 AM—1 PM, Monday, January 22, 2024
Otter Gap Missionary Baptist Church
 
FUNERAL SERVICE
1 PM, Monday, January 22, 2024
Otter Gap Missionary Baptist Church
 
- ARRANGEMENTS BY PATTON FUNERAL HOME BROWNSVILLE CHAPEL -