Richard Merritt Britt

Image
Body

A funeral service for Richard Merritt Britt, 82, of Clarkesville, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, at Hillside Memorial Chapel and Gardens, Clarkesville.

Mr. Britt passed away peacefully at Mountain View Health and Rehabilitation Center in Clayton, Aug. 19, 2019, from complications of long-term dementia.

Born October 4, 1936 in Jacksonville, Florida, he was the son of Emma Brunson Britt and Henry Merritt Britt of Winter Park, Florida.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Brenda Britt Stabell (husband Richard) of Houston, Texas; and his son-in-law, Bob Randall of Atlanta.

Richard spent most of his early years in Winter Park, Florida, the perfect setting for this person of enormous personal charm, good humor, and sports and creative talent.  Some of his fondest memories were the times he spent with his father at his hunting camp with the whole family at the camp on Lake Butler, and  with his beloved grandmother at her pre-Civil War homeplace in Southern Alabama. 

Richard attended the University of Florida before joining the military. He served four years in the Navy followed by three years in the United State Air Force.  Afterwards, he spent his working career with two large corporations, General Motors, in quality control, and Atlantic Steel, in management.

Following retirement in 1996, he and his wife, Betty moved to their vacation home in western North Carolina, where he remodeled the cabin into a beautiful home.  He also took a part-time job for the next 17 years at a popular convenience store in Rosman, North Carolina. The couple moved to Clarkesville in April 2018, to be nearer family as Richard's health condition declined.  

Richard is survived by his wife, Betty; step-son, Vincent Ray (wife Sonya) of Charlotte, North Carolina; stepdaughter, Beverly Randall of Stone Mountain; three sons, Stephen, Christopher and Eric Britt, and their mother, Patti Britt of Northeast, Pennsylvania; one sister, Jeanie Britt Daves (husband Walter) of Clarkesville; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.  

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Happy Tailz Pet Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 801, Sautee-Nacoochee, Ga 30571. 

Hillside Memorial Chapel and Gardens in Clarkesville,  is handling funeral arrangements.