Burnice Bratcher, 93, died November 10, 2020 at Artesia General Hospital with two grandsons by his side. Mike Wright will officate at the service Friday. Pallbears will be his grandsons and great grandson. Visitation will be at Terpening & Son Mortuary from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Thursday November 12, 2020.

Burnice Virgil Bratcher was born January 3, 1927 to Lillie Gertrude Hughes and Thomas Jefferson Bratcher in Happy, Texas. At an early age the family traveled to Texas, Arkansas and New Mexico by team and wagon working the farm fields as work was available during the depression. They were affectionately known as the bakers dozen and one.

The family came to Artesia to visit an aunt. They noted how healthy the crops looked due to irrigation which they were not familiar with. They liked it so much they went back home and gave two weeks notice and moved to Artesia. The family continued their tradition tending the crops.

Burnice met Elizabeth when she came to Artesia with her sister-in-law Nelline to visit her sister. They wrote letters to each other and Burnice traveled to Pie Town to see her. On the third trip he proposed over a 10 cent ice cream which to this day he still jokingly claims she owes him for. They were married on March 2, 1947, and enjoyed 73 years together as husband and wife.

Burnice worked for John Deere as salesman and as repairman for the many farmers hay bailers that would break down at night. He always had more than one job to support his family.

He is survived by his wife of the home. Daughters Carolyn Chumbley and husband George of Artesia. Jeani Haggard of Shawnee Oklahoma. Avonna Davis and husband Brad of Denton Texas. Son Mike Bratcher and wife Linda. Brother Glenn D. Bratcher of Virginia.  Sister-in-law Ruth Bratcher of Artesia. 11 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.