Mr. John W. Britt

John W. Britt, passed away on Saturday, May 21, 2022.  John was born on April 29, 1945 in Halifax, North Carolina to the late Horace and Celia Britt.

He shared his life with 14 siblings and had many aunts, uncles and cousins.  He was a man who spent a lifetime helping others.  He provided for his loving family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 11 siblings.  He attended the Halifax County Public School System and graduated from John A. Chalonder High School.  He joined the Piney Grove Baptist Church at an early age and was baptized.  There, he served on the usher board and attended Sunday School.

John and Janet came to Newport News, Virginia in 1965.  They were married many years and produced two children, John Jr. and Anthony Terrell Britt, who loved him very much.  He will be loved and missed.

John joined Shalom Baptist Church in 1968.  Through Christian experience, he served there for some time; on the trustee board, and he sang in the men’s choir. During his chairmanship of the trustee board at Shalom Baptist Church, John along with the help of others, purchased a church van as well as lead the effort of restoring the church after a fire. In 2018, he became Trustee Emeritus of Shalom Baptist Church and received a certificate of recognition for being a member for over 50 years.  He was loved by his fellow church members.

John worked 49 years for many food stores.  He started in Weldon, N.C., as a bag boy for Colonial Store, then he was promoted as the first African American to use the cash register in Weldon, N.C.  He relocated to Newport News, Virginia where he worked for King Department Store, Giant Open Air as a night stocker, he quit the job, and caught a taxi cab home.  He worked for Pantry Pride as a day stocker and was promoted as crew leader, assistant manager and manager.  He worked for A&P as manager in Emporia, Virginia until the store closed.  He was hired by Fresh Pride as manager where he stayed until the closing of the store in June of 2014.

Family was important to John.  He was the best cheer leader at games in school.  He was a good husband, father, father-in-law, grandpa, brother-in-law, god-father, uncle, cousin, friend, store manager, and trustee.  He never met a stranger.  He loved people but nevertheless, it’s all over and now we thank each and every one of you for coming out to share in the celebration of his life.

Left to cherish John’s memory are, his wife, Janet; two sons, John Jr. (Rhonda), Terrell (Margo); two grandchildren, Ashley (Steven), John III; one sister, Patty (Chuby) of Roanoke Rapids, N.C.; two brothers, Edward (Sarah) of Gaston, N.C., Leon of Hampton, VA.; one brother-in-law, Hubert (Evon) of Roanoke Rapids, N.C.; three sisters-in-law, Mrs. Maryland Britt of Newport News, VA., Mrs. Lavern Britt of Hampton, VA., and Mrs. Mary Chestnut of Lakeland, Florida; a surrogate sister, Mrs. Minnie M. Mann of Hampton, VA., and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

The Britt family ask that you would keep them in prayer during this time.

The family of Mr. John W. Britt has entrusted his final care to C.C. Carter Funeral Home, Inc.

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