Ruth Swinney Bratten

Ruth Swinney Bratten, 70, of Jonesboro, AR, left her earthly family and earthly home to take residence at her eternal home with her heavenly family on July 12, 2014, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House surrounded by her family. Ruth was born January 21, 1944, in Blytheville, AR to the Reverend Stanley Clarence (S.C.) Swinney and Nella Dorcas Fitzgerald Swinney. A member of Walnut Street Baptist Church, Ruth lived most of her life in Jonesboro, raising her family. Ruth had a long, successful career in retail spending the majority of that career at Dillard’s Department Store. A talented and creative decorator, Ruth enjoyed making her home a welcoming place for her family and friends to gather and enjoyed spending time with them, as well as watching the Cardinals, Razorbacks, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports. In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by a daughter, Jill Maxfield Lawson.

Ruth is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 33 years, Jim Bratten, her daughter, Jan Maxfield Roberts (Rick) of Jonesboro, her son Jeffrey Richard Maxfield (Evie) of Roseville, CA, a brother Clovis Swinney of Jonesboro, stepsons Kenneth Bratten and Keith Bratten of Kansas City, eight grandchildren: Richard Puckett (Amber) of Paragould, AR, Jeremy Puckett of South Jordan, UT, Amanda Lawson Sikes (Matt), Shea Roberts and Jenifer Roberts all of Jonesboro, Kyle, Jamie and April Bratten all of Missouri, four great-grandchildren: Cole and Maddie Puckett, and Alaina and Lawson Sikes, a niece Allyson Swinney Reed, a nephew Heath Swinney, several great nephews and a host of dear friends.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 16, 2014, from 5:00pm-8:00pm, at Emerson Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 17, 2014 at 2:00pm at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Glenn Putman officiating. Entombment will follow in Jonesboro Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Honored to serve as Pallbearers are Richard Puckett, Keith Bratten, Matt Sikes, Bryan Rogers, Greg Lawson and Ron Hatley. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jeremy Puckett, Heath Swinney, Kenny Bratten and Ron Hatley Sunday School Class members.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration by given to Walnut Street Baptist Missionary Fund, 1710 Scenic Drive, Jonesboro, AR, Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, 400 East St., Jonesboro, AR 72401, or the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Brain Tumor Research Program, 4301 W. Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205.