Winnie Smith Bratcher, 86, passed away on Friday, February 2, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Rev. Stuart Wesley Bratcher. Winnie was born October 2, 1937 in Paragould, Arkansas, daughter of the late J. Lee Smith and Miriam Beck Smith.

She was a member of the 1955 graduating class of Bendle High School in Flint, Michigan, and then attended Ouachita Baptist University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Education in 1959. She later earned a Master of Arts in Education with an emphasis in Educational Administration from the University of Louisville. Winnie served the educational community for 56 years. First as a junior high and high school teacher in Michigan, Kentucky, and Indiana, then as a Curriculum Consultant for the Watauga County Schools in Boone, North Carolina, and next as a preschool teacher in Brooklyn, New York. From 1976-1981, she was the Educational Coordinator for the federal Title XX Child Care Program in Scranton, Pennsylvania where she was responsible for several centers and child care homes. In 1981, she became the Registrar at Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky, supporting thousands of students as they completed their degree requirements until her retirement in 2015. Winnie was involved in many church communities throughout the years. She volunteered in many roles and especially enjoyed teaching Sunday school. For the past several decades, she's been a member of Faith Baptist Church in Georgetown, Kentucky where she sang in the church choir and volunteered in the church's outreach tutoring program. Winnie also volunteered in many other organizations that supported education, children, families, and mental health. She won numerous awards for her service including, Honorary Order of Kentucky Colonels by Governor Wallace Wilkinson, 1988; Volunteer of the Decade, Champions for a Drug-Free Kentucky, 1996; Outstanding Christian Service Award, Georgetown College 2000; and Volunteer of the Year, Baptist Seminary of Kentucky, 2004. Also in 2004, she was honored by the Scott County Fiscal Court for 20 years of community service. In addition, she was designated Registrar Emeritus by Georgetown College and presented with a resolution to honor her years of Service by the Board of Trustees in 2015. Along with her career and volunteer work, Winnie took great pride and joy in being a wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, always making time to support those she loved through prayer, deep conversations, and encouraging notes. She was a wonderful host and amazing cook, and has left a legacy of many delicious recipes for her friends and family.

She is survived by her children Vicki Watson (Jerry) Zionsville, IN, Kris Bratcher, Georgetown, KY, and Rebecca Laxton (Steve) Charlotte, N.C.; Grandson Bryan Watson (Alison) and Great-Granddaughter Louise Watson, Indianapolis; Granddaughter Katie Beth Watson (Chanwook Kim) and Great-Granddaughter Dayna Kim, Seoul, South Korea; Granddaughters Mikaela, Carleigh, Gracie, and Grandson Jacob Laxton, Charlotte, NC; several special nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins.

Funeral services will be 10 AM Thursday at Faith Baptist Church, conducted by Dr. Greg Earwood, Rev. William Reilly and Rev. Robert M. Fox. Burial will follow at the Georgetown Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 PM Wednesday at Johnson's Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith Baptist Church. The family is incredibly grateful to the church for their love and support, especially during Winnie's recent illness.