Betty Jo Bratcher Hammond

Betty Jo Bratcher Hammond, 80, of New Albany, Indiana passed away peacefully with her family at her side on August 9, 2012. She was born July 16, 1932 in Louisville, Kentucky to the late Carlos and Jean (Berry) Bratcher. Betty Jo was a long standing member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Albany where she served as a Eucharistic minister, reader, and a member of the Altar Society. She served for 8 years as the Floyd County Auditor being the first female elected to that office and 8 years as the Floyd County Clerk. She served as a Democratic Precinct Committeemen. Betty was a past president of the Democrat Women’s Club, past president of the Business and Professional Women’s Organization and served as Treasurer of the Indiana State B.P.W. Federation. She was member of the Falls of the Ohio Women’s Club and was a Kentucky Colonel. She served as Secretary to the Board of the Humane Society. She was an honoree of the Sagamore of the Wabash, New Albany Business and Professional Women’s Outstanding Woman of Achievement and the American Legion Outstanding Citizen Award.

Betty is survived by her five children, Larry J. “Jim” Hammond (Terri Kay Jordan) of New Albany, Barbara J. Sillings (Todd) of New Albany, Don C. Hammond (Michelle) of Dallas, Texas, Sheila J. Hammond (Brad Goforth) of Lanesville, John C. Hammond of New Albany; grandchildren, Elizabeth Ann Iredale (William) of Louisville, Lara J. Hammond of Louisville, Von Matthew Hammond (Maura) of Indianapolis, Alex C. Hammond (Susan) of Morgantown, West Virginia, Natalie J. Hentrup (B.J.) of New Albany, Ciarra M. Ems of Borden, Indiana, Angela M. Johnson (Edward) of Austin, Texas, William Long III of Dallas, Texas, Miranda R. Hammond of New Albany, John W. Hammond of New Albany; great grandchildren, Lucas James Iredale, Garrison Robert Noel Hentrup, Declan Birch Hammond, and Edward Lake Johnson III.

Betty’s family would like to pay a special tribute to Dr. Morris Weis, her Cardiologist for providing her with such special care over the many years.

Visitation will be from 11:00 am ~ 5:00 pm Sunday at Kraft Funeral Service, 708 E. Spring Street, New Albany, Indiana. Her Funeral Mass will be 10:00 am Monday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with entombment to follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in New Albany.

The family wishes in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the American Heart Association or St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Messages of condolence may be made online at www.kraftfuneralservice.net