Melinda Stricklin Bratcher departed this life on Saturday, February 17th, 2024, at her home overlooking Indian Creek in Collinwood, Tennessee, at the age of 58 years, 6 months, 11 days. She was born on August 6th, 1965, in Hardin County to the late James Allen “Shug” Stricklin and Irene Stricklin. She was united in marriage to Timmy Ray Bratcher on August 30th, 1986. Melinda was a member of Houston Baptist Church. She loved her family more than anything in the world. Melinda is remembered for her character: a selfless, caring, kind, hardworking, and loving wife, mother, nana, sister, and friend. She enjoyed reading, gardening, sewing, swimming, and spending time with her grandsons more than anything.
She is survived by her loving husband of 37 years, Timmy Bratcher; her daughter, Shana Wyatt; her son-in-law, Aaron Wyatt; and her two grandsons, Isaac and Avery Wyatt. Her siblings also survive her: Kathy (Jimmy) Casteel, Trish (Wade) Howell, JoAnn Reaves, Terry (Sharon) Stricklin, Jeff (Ethel) Stricklin. Melinda has many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
She is preceded in death by her father, James Allen Stricklin; mother, Irene Stricklin; brothers, Lewis Allen and Robert Glen Stricklin; sister, Glenda Gail Stricklin; brothers-in-law, Darrell Reaves, Johnny Casteel, and Charles Haddock; sister-in-law, Margaret Haddock.
Funeral services were conducted on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Houston Baptist Church with Shayne Bratcher officiating. Burial followed in the Mt. Hebron Cemetery.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers include: Chris Howell, D.J. Long, Dewayne Middleton, Wesley Reaves, Dustin Stricklin, Jarod Stricklin.
Bates-Love Funeral and Cremation is honored to serve the Bratcher family.
