Mary Gayle (Travers) Bratton passed away at the age of 88 on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at her residence in South Port Square senior living complex in Port Charlotte, Florida.

Mary was born in St. Louis Missouri on August 11, 1936, and was adopted shortly thereafter by her parents, Alice Coventry Travers and Claude "Buck" Travers who lived in Olney, Illinois where she grew up.

She joined The First Methodist Church of Olney in 1945. She enrolled at the University of Illinois in 1955 and later attended Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois. In her teens she was a Masonic Rainbow Girl and was awarded their highest award, The Grand Cross of Color.

She married Charles L. Bratton on November 27, 1957. The couple moved to Florida in 1985 where she joined Pilgrim United Church of Christ.

As a member of that church, she was commissioned a Stephen Minister and spent many hours consoling other members who were going through hard times. She also organized a Prayer Shawl Ministry and personally knitted more than 100 shawls.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, her daughter Julia (Fred) Granger of Port Charlotte, one grandson Zachary (Lynsey) Granger of Punta Gorda, and one great-grandson, Tripp Granger, also of Punta Gorda.

At this time, no services are planned.

Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Homes, Port Charlotte, FL