Sophia "Queen" Abram Bratton

A Celebration of Life service will take place at Living Water Fellowship 4101 Pleasant Hill Rd, Kissimmee, FL 34746 on Friday, April 19, 2024 at 6:30pm

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to Living Water Fellowship Food Pantry in her honor.

Sophia Jacquil Abram Bratton was born on April 24, 1952 to the late Minnie Beaty Abram (Bayboro, SC) and the late Lacy Abram (Sellers, SC) in Marion, South Carolina. Her formative years were spent in the Great Migration enclaves of Ocean City, New Jersey where her charm, beauty and charisma laid the foundation for her being the first Black prom queen of the majority white Ocean City High School.

She later married Joseph L. Bratton of Far Rockaway, NY and established herself as a professional in the Social Services Department of Woodbine Developmental Center in Woodbine, New Jersey where she served developmentally disabled persons for over 16 years. She was also a rising figure within the local South Jersey network of Mary Kay Beauty Consultants. With her husband and two children, she later moved to Kissimmee, Florida where she worked in the mental health, special education, nursing and elder care fields, serving the most marginalized members of the community.

Most importantly, she was a woman who encountered the Lord Jesus and was never the same. Being of a Godly lineage, the seeds of the gospel were planted through her connection with the Baptist and Fire-Baptized Holiness churches of her youth. Through the intercessory prayer ministry of Horne’s Temple Church of the Firstborn in Woodbine, New Jersey, she fully surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Her early discipleship took place at Full Gospel Deliverance Church in Pleasantville, New Jersey and she was eventually ordained as a minister of the gospel under the leadership Rev. John L. Mack of Heavensway Baptist Church in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. She fancied herself a gospel music manager and often could be found connecting exceptional vocal talent with local churches in the area. During some time living in Mesa, Arizona, she took a step further in her spiritual journey and re-submitted to the waters of baptism in the sole and ever-saving name of Jesus at Gethsemane Park Apostolic Church. It was here that she was also called upon to preach the Word on special occasions and support the ministry in various capacities. In her almost 30 years as a resident of Kissimmee, she served several churches faithfully as Nursing Home Ministry founder, Sunday School Teacher, Drama Ministry Leader, Food Pantry Ministry Support and Outreach Team Member. In addition to various training courses and seminars, her official ministry preparation took place at Garden State Bible School and Faith Christian University. She was a member of Living Waters Fellowship, while continuing to enjoy fellowship with various ministries throughout the city.

She is preceded in death by her aforementioned parents, Minnie and Lacy Abram (Marion, SC); mother-in-law and father-in-law, Joseph and Elizabeth Bratton (Far Rockaway, NY)brothers, John Randolph Abram (Chesterfield, VA), James Edward Abram (Yeadon, PA), and Frank Charles Abram (Marion, SC); sister, Florence Hughes (Detroit, MI); Mary T. Abram (Marion, SC); sisters-in-law, Juanita Fisher Abram (Chesterfield, VA), Ann Bratton (Far Rockaway, NY), Patricia Bratton Nock (Far Rockaway, NY); brothers-in-law, Michael Bratton (Far Rockaway, NY), Russell Bratton, (Piscataway, NJ), Ronald Bratton (Far Rockaway, NJ .

She is survived by her husband: Joseph L. Bratton (Kissimmee, FL); daughter: Jolene Jacquil Bratton (Somers Point, NJ); son: Joseph (Joey) Elijah Bratton (Washington, DC); brother, Elijah Abram (St. Helena Island, SC); sisters-in-law: Claudette McCall Abram (Yeadon, PA), Alberta Smith Abram (St. Helena Island, SC); brother-in-law, Anthony Bratton (Far Rockaway, NY) and grandchildren: Kamden Massai, Jeshua Emanuel, Korbyn Sophia Jacquil, Joya Mae, Kaenan Josiah, Jorah Mielle and their respective parents: Jessica Humphrey (mother of Joey’s children) and Kerry Jones (father of Jolene’s children) along with a beautiful tribe of nieces, nephews, cousins and devoted friends.