Lester R. Bratcher Jr.

DOVER - Lester R. Bratcher Jr., affectionately known as Bunny, was born the only child to Lester and Edith Bratcher in Wilmington, on July 13, 1950. He departed this life and took his eternal rest on Wednesday, March 18, 2009. He was 58 years young. Bunny primarily received his education in the Capitol School District, where he met his favorite childhood teacher, Ms. Lola Tue. However, his greatest education came from the "School of Hard Knocks" and from the "School of Life Experiences." It is from those sources he learned to be kind to literally everyone he met; to extend a helping hand to those in need; to laugh in the face of adversity; and to be a consistent, dependable friend. For more than 32 years, Bunny was employed by Kraft Foods, in Dover, as a mixer. While there, he developed and maintained closely-knit bonds with innumerable acquaintances and friends. On June 16, 1973, Bunny's life would change forever, when he married the love of his life, Mari Etta Pope. Throughout more than 35 years of marriage, he and Mari enjoyed an extremely close relationship and took pleasure in spending most of their non-working time together. They were blessed with four beautiful children and nine grandchildren. Among many other things, Bunny's hobbies included driving and sightseeing; cooking; and entertaining his grandchildren, to whom he was especially devoted. He was preceded in death by his parents; his adopted son, Michael Terry Johnson; his daughter, Tanisha Bratcher-Cruz; and a special aunt, Angeline Goldsborough. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Mari Bratcher of Camden; two children, Lester Maurice and Nicole Bratcher, both of Dover; nine grandchildren, Raneese and Maurice (Scooter) Rodriguez, both of Dover, Sharise Wilson of Dover, Jasmine, Jada, Areyon (Poogie), and Aaliyah (LeLe) Bratcher, all of Dover, and Jeramiah and Ka-Lel Cruz, both of Dover; his first son-in-law, Felix Cruz of Dover; three sisters-in-law, Q. Ester Chambers and Bessie Walker, both of Wilmington, and Patricia Amos of Middletown; two brothers-in-law, Harold Pope of Wilmington and Tyrone Amos of Middletown; special cousins, the Goldsborough Family of Bridgeton, N.J.; a special aunt, Lillian Bratcher of Swedseboro, N.J.; a family with whom he enjoyed a special relationship, the Shockley Family of Camden; and a host of other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Viewing will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday March 24, at Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover. Services will be noon Wednesday, March 25, at Holy Trinity Church of the Living God on Division Street, Dover. Burial will be in Sharon Hill.