Karen Bratcher

Services are scheduled at 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 31, at First Baptist Church in Artesia for longtime resident Karen Bratcher or Aztec, N.M.

Ms. Bratcher, 50, died January 27, 2011 at her home.

Rev. Rick Sullivan will officiate at the services with burial at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jim Hickerson, Robert Chumbley, David Conklin, Rick Burks, Stephen Johnston, and George Chumbley. Visitation at Terpening Son Mortuary will begin at 2:00 p.m. Sunday.

Karen was born January 24, 1961 in Artesia the daughter of Alton and Ruth Bratcher.

She grew up in Artesia and graduated from Artesia High School. Karen received her Bachelors Degree in Education and Masters Degree from ENMU. She was employed by Central Consolidated School District in Kirtland Central and was a special education teacher for Newcomb Middle School. Karen received Teacher of the Year honors for the 20092010 school year. Karen loved and cared dearly for the special needs children she taught. Karen was known to purchase food, clothing, and toys for her children and for her childrens parents when they were in need. She loved and cared so much, not only for the children, but for the people who lived on the Indian Reservation where Newcomb Middle School is located. Karen will be greatly missed by her students, fellow coworkers, and family.

Karen never had any children of her own, but she considered her nieces and nephews and greatnephew as her children, and was constantly involved in their lives by calling and checking on them on a regular basis. Karen also loved her dogs, and living alone, her two dogs, Punkin and Patches were her little family. Karen loved and cared for Punkin and Patches like children.

Karen was preceded in death by her father, Alton Bratcher. She is survived by her mother Ruth, of Artesia brothers Kent and his wife, Sherrie, of Artesia Mike and his wife, Anne, of Cedar Park, Texas Greg and his wife, Kerrie, of San Angelo, Texas nephew, Klint Bratcher and his wife, Lauren of Abilene, Texas niece Kara Bratcher of Artesia nephew Kevin Bratcher of Cedar Park nieces Sloane and Zoe Bratcher of San Angelo and greatnephew, Kaden Bratcher of Abilene and Special Companions, Punkin and Patches.

Memorials may be made in Karens honor to the New Mexico Baptist Childrens Home, P.O. Box 629,
Portales, NM 88130.