LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Clifton E. “Clif” Bratcher, 91, of Louisville, formerly of Cromwell, Kentucky, died Saturday, July 2, 2022, at Baptist East Hospital in Louisville. Mr. Bratcher was born Nov. 25, 1930, in Cromwell to the late Essie and Ruby Phelps Bratcher.
He graduated from Cromwell High School. In his early years, he farmed with his father. Mr. Bratcher graduated from Western Kentucky University with a degree in education; after which, he attended and graduated from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville.
Mr. Bratcher went on to serve as a pastor, in various capacities, to several churches throughout Southern Kentucky, including Liberty Baptist Church in Auburn, Kentucky; Cave City Baptist Church; and Glen Lily Baptist Church in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
In approximately 1961, Mr. Bratcher began a new career in insurance. He worked for Independence Life, and Kansas City Life Insurance as a general agent. He retired at the age of 80.
Mr. Bratcher was the oldest living member of Masonic Lodge, #692 Cromwell, and #800 in Mc Henry, Kentucky, with 69 active years within the group.
Aside from his parents, Mr. Bratcher is preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Schapmire Bratcher, in 1975; and an infant sister.
Those left to cherish his memory are his two children, Michael C. Bratcher (wife, Jeanette Bratcher) and Pamela Carolyn Bratcher, (husband, Dan Stelling), both of Bowling Green, and a grandson, Hartsul Freeman Bratcher, of Louisville.
Masonic Rites will take place 2 p.m. Friday, July 8, in the Chapel of Hartford Memorial, (formerly the Miller- Schapmire Funeral Home), 114 Walnut Street, Hartford, KY. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. Friday, July 8, at Hartford Memorial Funeral Chapel.
Hartford Memorial is both honored and privileged to be entrusted with the care of Mr. Bratcher.
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The Family requests in lieu of flowers to please contribute to the charity of your choice.