Marjorie Ann Schroeder Bratcher, 89

Published 4:27 pm Thursday, August 16, 2012

NORTH CAROLINA, August 16 – Marjorie Ann Schroeder Bratcher, 89, of Durham, North Carolina passed away peacefully Monday, August 13, 2012. She was born in Du Quoin, Illinois and spent her childhood in southern Illinois. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois in 1944.

Ms. Bratcher was a pioneer in flight, serving as a flight attendant on a United Air Lines DC-3 in 1944. She married Lt. J.G. Edward Ballance Bratcher, who served in the Submarine Corps during World War I. They both attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky where she obtained her master's degree in Sacred Music.

She cherished her only brother, Herman William “Bud” Schroeder Jr. He served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II and gave his life in service to his country during the battle for Tinian Island in the Marianas Islands of the South Pacific.

Many of her years were spent supporting her husband in the work of the Baptist church, as a pianist and children's choir director. Over the years, she helped enrich the lives of hundreds of children by teaching them to play the piano, as well as through her work with autistic children in Waynesboro.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Dr. E.B. Bratcher; three children, Dr. Suzanne Jane Bratcher of Arkansas, Richard William and wife, Darlene Ferguson Bratcher of Farmville, and Michael Edward and Annaliese Bratcher of Kentucky; and three grandchildren, Marjorie Jane Hoskins, Katherine Diane Bratcher Rhine and Herman Michael Bratcher.

She was a gracious, beautiful woman who will bring a smile to the lips of many for years to come.

Services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 18, at the Watts Street Baptist Church in Durham, North Carolina.

Any donations should be made to the Benevolent Fund of the UMRH, 2600 Croasdaile Farm Parkway, Durham, NC, 27705.