Mary Ella Bratcher John’s spirit transcended gracefully, but suddenly, into her Father’s arms at 5;00 PM Friday evening, June 15, 2012, in the near presence of her loving children, at the ER at Southeast Georgia Health System. She had battled heart trouble for years and was a 53 year survivor of cancer and a wonderful example of the survivor’s spirit.
Her beautiful soul came into the world on February 27, 1929 in Alma, Georgia to Ella and William Elex Bratcher. She was the oldest sibling to five other siblings, which served her well in life to help to develop her mothering characteristics, devotion to family and friends, loving nature, gratitude for the little things in life, the “don’t sweat the small stuff attitude’ and her great love of God.
She went to Glynn County School and went to Gynn Academy until she fell in love with her soul mate, Joel Calvin johns, when she was only 16 years old- and left school to marry the love of her life. They were married on July 25, 1944 by Judge Little. It was later in her life, but she did meet her gold of getting her GED before her youngest left college.
Mary worked for J>e. jones, Co (Ship building yard, and worked as a welder during the war years at summer time, which is where she met her husband, Calvin. Later, after having children, she turned to being a seamstress at Brunswick Manufacturing Company, where was a steward/delegate for the International Garment Worker Ladies Union (IGWLU) for the majority of the years she worked there.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) and KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly) were organizations very dear to heart for over 22 years. At one time in her life, she weighed a little more than she would have liked and found the TOPS organization to be a viable organization to more than meet her needs and they have been a inspiration organization along with KOPS for over 22 years, which have helped to keep her health in check along the way.
Being raised with old schooled values and manners, she added good common sense rules: and rules of life form the Bible, Ten Commandments, Jesus’ teaching and the Spirit’s guidance to guide her life and the way she walked through life and treated others. She led by example. She was a Baptist Faith, and was a long time member of the Pine Haven Baptist Church and the “Sonshine” Class with her Sunday school class home. She loved to go to worship and venture out into the world; (one venture was a girl’s four generation cruise); but of late, her body did not hold up as long as she w would have liked. With all of her loved, she was known for her charity, faith, service, and patience. If your life was touched by Mary Ella on her journey through life—You were doubly blessed- she had a way of calmly touching hears immediately. Her faith showed through her smile, her eyes, her laughter and her voice and she was a friend to all, a messenger and child of God.
During her life, Mary Ella was a loving daughter, wife, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother, Best friend and friend to many,- a true “Lady of God: with a Heart of Gold. Mary Ella’s home was always a beacon of Hope and peace in an otherwise unfriendly world- a place of Compassion and love. She was always the optimist, spreading good cheer and God’s word wherever she could. Her gentle strength was an inspiration for all.
Survivors include; Children, Son, Corbitt Lee Johns (Cheryl) Brunswick, Ga.; two daughters, Phyllis Evelyn Nase (Jim), Brunswick, Ga., and Roberta Clarke-Alotta (Bob), Brunswick, Ga.: Siblings: two brother, Jackie Bratcher (Becky), Brunswick, Ga., Wayne Roger Bratcher (Bonnie), Cobb Town, Ga., one sister, Ruby Nell Munro, Brunswick, Ga.,: sister-in-law, Dorothy Thomas, Brunswick, Ga., Grandchildren, Patricia Scogin (Robin); Colin Scogin (Heidi); Tamara Jock (Peter); Joel Latham (Elizabeth), Jay Williams (Deana); James Phillip Nasa, Robert Nase (Julia),Steven Nase, Kimberly Clarke Knight (Robert), Elizabeth Alotta and Jemine Alotta. Great grandchildren, Jeffrey Bryant, Megham Channel (Jim)l Aiden Scogin, Pierson Scogin; Jacobs Jock,, Dakota Williams, Dalton Williams, Elizabeth Pitts; Martin Pitts, Nicholas Nase, Kyra Hase, Elyssa Latham, McKenzie Latham Kevin Thompson,(Stephanie), Kaleigh Thompson Sloan (Adam), Kyle Thompson, Anthony Salinger, Dante Alotta, Rachael Knight, and Reese Knight; Great Great Grandchildren, Brenna Channel, Breya Dawson and Gabriel Thompson.
She is predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Joel Calvin Johns, mother, Ella Mae Bratcher, father, William Elex Bratcher; brother, William Elex Bratcher. Jr., a sister, Mabel Holmes, her mother-in-law, Mary Frances Johns and father-in-law, Joseph Ward Johns.
Visitation will be Tuesday night, June 19, 2012 at Edo Miller and Sons from 6:00 to 8:oo PM. A Celebration of her life will be held at 3:00 Pm Wednesday june 20, 2102 in the Chapel of the Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home with Rev. Emory Ion Johns officiating. Interment will follow in Palmetto Cemetery.
Thos wishing to make donations may send contributions to the local American Cancer Society or to the American Heart Association.
“Mother- You taught us well…to trust ourselves in all that we do…to enjoy the simple things life has to offer…to be honest and true…to give back to the world…to look for best in others, while always trying to be the best person we can be…and to love with full heart, for that’s the only way to love. Our heart’s is full of love for you. You are our teacher, our mentor, our friend, and our wonderful mother. You mean the world to all of us and you will forever be with us.
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