I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 Kevin R. Bratton, age 44, of Unicoi, TN, went home to be with his Lord and Savior following a lengthy battle with cancer on Sunday, February 8, 2015 at the Johnson City Medical Center. A native of San Leandro, CA, he was the son of the late Lynn Bratton. Kevin was a veteran of the U.S Army, 82 nd Airborne, and served during the Panama invasion and the Gulf War. He was the director of Human Resources for the City of Johnson City and was a member of the Society for Human Resources Management, International City Management, and the International Personnel Management Association. Mr. Bratton attended Maranatha Tabernacle, Unicoi, and had previously attended Southwestern Baptist Church, Johnson City and Limestone Cove First United Methodist Church, Unicoi. He volunteered with the Erwin YMCA, where he coached basketball. Kevin also coached Little League in Erwin. He was a loving husband, father and a compassionate friend to all who knew him and will be greatly missed. In addition to his mother, Kevin is preceded in death by his grandmother, Irene Carpentier. Survivors include his wife, Amy Berry Bratton, Unicoi; two sons, Garrett Bratton and Eli Bratton, both of Unicoi; daughter, Hannah Kate Bratton, Unicoi; mother and father-in-law, Paul and Jewell Berry, Unicoi; brother-in-law, Seth Berry and wife Kim, Unicoi; nephews, Tanner Berry and Hudson Berry, both of Unicoi. The funeral service for Mr. Bratton will be conducted at 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 11, 2015 in the East Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Home with Pastor E.L Wheeler and Rev. Estel Williams officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 4:00 until 7:00 P.M. in the East Parlor of Appalachian Funeral Home, or the residence at anytime. There will be stationary available during the visitation for family and friends to share memories of Kevin to help create memory books for his children. The graveside service and interment will be conducted at 12:00 P.M. Thursday, February 12 in the Lewis Family Cemetery, Lewis Rd., Unicoi, TN. Active pallbearers will be Matt Sanders, Matt Eaton, Seth Berry, John Gobble, Kirk Jones, Tim Henley, Steve Rush, and Steve Willis. Honorary pallbearers will be Pete Peterson, Bob Wilson, Paul Hensley, Steve Simerly, and Dr. Vic Young. Those who wish to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at Appalachian Funeral Home at 11:00 A.M. Thursday to travel to the cemetery in procession. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Gideons International- North Camp, P.O Box 3695, Johnson City, TN 37602. The family would like to send a heartfelt thanks to the members of Maranatha Tabernacle, Kevin's co-workers with the City of Johnson City, and the family and friends of the community for your outpouring of love and support. Visitation: Wednesday February 11 2015 - 4:00 to 7:00 PM Services: Wednesday 7:00 PM Interment: Thursday 12:00 NoonNRead Obituary
