Mr. James Edward “J. B.”Bratton, 72, of Shelby, NC passed away on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at Atrium Health- Cleveland in Shelby, NC. He was born in Cleveland County, NC on September 25, 1948 to the late Willie Bratton, Sr. and the late Carrie Lee Epps Bratton.

“J.B.” as he was called by many was a graduate of Washington High School in Waco, NC and earned an Associate’s degree from Cleveland Technical Institute. He served honorably in the U.S. Army and was a Vietnam War veteran. J.B. was an entrepreneur at heart and was the owner of Jeans and Things in Shelby for several years.

“J.B.” was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church. As a child, he was a Junior Deacon at Walls Memorial Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Willie Bratton, Jr., Floyd Bratton, James Epps and William Epps and one sister, Willie Mae Early.

Left to cherish his memory are two sisters, Lizzie Ponder (Rev. A. A.) and Carolyn Lawrence; one sister-in-law, Cora Bratton; a niece, who was like his daughter, Pamela Watson (Phillip) and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The funeral service for Mr. Bratton will be private. The service will be live-streamed on Facebook starting at 12:45 PM on Tuesday, December 22, 2020. He may be viewed at S.T. Enloe Mortuary Chapel on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM. Burial will take place at Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery.