Ruth Irene Bratton, 94, of New Ross passed away Tuesday afternoon at Hickory Creek in Crawfordsville.

Born Oct. 29, 1927 in Farmersburg, she was the daughter of Raymond Williams and Rhoda Alice Jones Fouts.  She graduated from Crawfordsville High School in 1945.  She was immediately hired to work as a telephone operator for Indiana Bell.  She married Raymond Howard Bratton on Nov. 7, 1948.  They settled on a farm just east of New Ross.  Irene continued to make her home there after Howard's death on Jan. 16, 1995.

Irene began fulfilling a life-long dream when she went to beauty school in 1965.  Upon her completion, she opened a beauty shop where she styled hair for more than 20 years.  She was a member of the New Ross United Methodist Church for more than 50 years.  She was also a founding member of the New Ross Golden Girls where the women lunched and laughed.

Irene is survived by: two daughters, Sue Bratton of Marion and Alice Bratton of Hawaii (Shari Berman); son, Matthew Bratton (Lynnette) of New Ross and Parke County; grandchildren, Kevin (Jennifer) of Fishers, Tracy (Russell) of Indianapolis, Roger (Megan) of Columbus, GA, Brian (Mercedes Buchanan) of Indianapolis, Roy Pence (Jessica Hite) of Huntington, Alexandria Pence (Dylan Giddings) of Indianapolis; step-grandchildren, Chelsea Warren of Hollandsburg, Seth Warren of Bloomingdale; eight great-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard, parents, step-father, Milo Fouts, son, William and her brother, Richard.

Visitation will be from 1 PM to 2:30 PM Sunday, Feb. 13 ^th at Burkhart Funeral Home, Crawfordsville.  The people in attendance are recommended to wear a mask.  Services will begin at 2:30 led by Mike Hartley.  Burial will follow at the Mace Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Ross United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 95, New Ross, IN 47968.  Online condolences at www.BurkhartFH.com.