First Lady Ann Bratcher

Born the eldest of four children in the Caribbean Country of St. Ann, Jamaica., Ann Morris would eventually find her calling outside the picturesque confines of her home island. In 1973, Morris would be forced to live with family members, after the unexpected death of her father. Her father’s death would set off a chain of events resulting in young Ann living with relatives and friends. It would, however, be a chance encounter while ill that would play the most vital role in establishing her Christian walk and identity.

 

After becoming ill, Morris moved in with Bishop and Sister O’Hare, first family of the Church of Jesus Christ Incorporated. Not yet realizing God’s ultimate plan for her life, Morris would learn up close and personal, how a First Lady treated her home and church life.  Sister O’Hare unknowingly laid a blueprint from managing household chores, meeting the daily demands of her husband’s busy church schedule and raising a family. The eloquent, patience, love and respect shown through the actions of Sister O’Hare, would prove paramount to Morris in the years to come.

 

Under the tutelage of the O’Hare’s, Ann Morris would be baptized in Jesus name in July of 79 and would receive the Holy Ghost, months later on July 23rd.  After living with the O’Hare’s for another two years, Morris would move to the United States to help her out at her mother’s fledging seafood restaurant, in Willows Grove Pennsylvania. It was during this time, Sister Ann was extended an invitation by Sister Ora Hyde, to attend Way Back.

 

This sisterhood forged between the two would demonstrate young Ann’s commitment to Christ. “I told Sister Hyde that I would stay with her at any cost, and I was determined to stay even if it meant living on the streets.”

 

While a member of Way Back, Sister Ann would catch the eye of a young parishioner, named Alphonso Bratcher. Pastor Bratcher recounts the moment he knew Morris would become his wife, “After a Sunday dinner get together, I noticed Ann washing dishes in the kitchen. that peeked my interest because other women her age wouldn’t do something like that.” The humble gesture didn’t escape him, “so while she cleaned I told her, she would be my wife.”  Taken off guard, Sister Ann merely turned back around, finishing the kitchen. 

 

Unbeknownst to others, even to her future husband, Sister Ann fondly remembers meeting Brother Bratcher for the first time. “It was attraction at first sight!” When I saw him, my heart skipped a beat and began beating really, really fast, but I kept it to myself. During a six-month courtship Pastor Bratcher would learn that Sister Ann possessed all the qualities of a wife, even going on to say. “We thought alike.” On May 14, the young couple would make it official and exchange vows under Elder Clark.

 

The title of first lady has come with both challenges and blessings, but as she would put it, “I was made for this!” 33 years of marriage, children, and grandchildren later, she continues to be a model of faith for women of God.