For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1
A Time to Seed
Joy Lynne Bratton was born March 28, 1957, in Rahway, New Jersey, to the late Lawrence, Sr. and Winifred Young. After a courageous battle with cancer, she transitioned to eternal rest on September 12, 2023. She was the only girl of her three brothers, Lawrence, Jr., Darren, and Robert.
A Time to Sprout
Joy grew up in Rahway where she attended Rahway High School. She then pursued her education in Criminology with a minor in psychology at Jersey City State College, now New Jersey City University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.
A Time to Reproduce
While in college Joy met and later married the love of her life, Dana Bratton. Together they enjoyed 40 blessed years of marriage. They are the proud parents of five beautiful children, Dana, Adria, Jonathan, Danielle, and David. Joy and Dana resided in Jersey City, New Jersey for over 40 years and later relocated to Lynchburg, Virginia.
A Time to Pollinate
Joy worked at Union County Jail as a Corrections Officer and retired as a Sergeant after 30 years. She was a member of Monumental Baptist Church. She enjoyed cooking, spending time with her family, especially her grands, and tending to her many plants.
A Time to Wither
Joy was preceded in death by her father Lawrence Young, Sr. and mother, Winifred Young. Joy was a devoted and loving wife, mother, and grandmother, who enjoyed her family immensely. She leaves to cherish her precious and loving memories, her husband, Dana Bratton, five children, Dana, Adria, Jonathan, Danielle, and David; her seven grandchildren, Jourdan, Xavier, Kayla, Aiden, Bailey, Brandon, Jr. (BJ) and Winnie; three loving brothers, Lawrence, Jr.(Lorraine), Darren(Kelly) and Robert(Azalea); mother-in-law, Rebecca Bratton brothers-in-law, Alvin, John (Doris) and Michael Bratton; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Joy’s life was a blessing, and her memory will always be treasured.
A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 22, 2023, at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, Virginia.
Donations may be made to Tree of Life Ministries.
Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg is assisting the family.