Jean Britt

Sunday, October 19, 2008

EAST PRAIRIE -- Marie Imogene "Jean" Britt, 81, passed away Friday, Oct. 17, 2008, at her home.

She had spent the last several months at home surrounded by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other family and friends as she gracefully battled cancer, never losing her faith.

Jean was born Sept. 30, 1927, in Cape Girardeau, to the late William Ernest (Buck) Batson and Thelma Aydelott. She was a resident of East Prairie most of her life with the exception of a short period spent in Oregon.

On Oct. 11, 1966, she married James Orville (Pee Wee) Britt. They owned and operated a business in East Prairie for over 30 years. While in business, she made many friends and became affectionately known by her close friends as Auntie. Later she worked at Rick's Deli, Harry's and the Depot BBQ all in East Prairie where she became known throughout the community for her homecooked meals and her famous "Jean Britt" dumplings. She loved cooking for her family and friends.

She was baptized May 2008 at the First Christian Church in East Prairie by Martin Lucas. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Orville (Pee Wee) Britt; her parents and two grandchildren.

She is survived by three sons, Charles Eugene Ashcraft and wife Melinda of Irving, Texas, Gary Ashcraft and wife Alma of Jackson and Ricky Ashcraft and wife Mable of East Prairie; one stepson, James "Jim" Orville Britt and wife Carolyn of Jackson; four daughters, Shirley Bone Renaud and husband John, and Donna Faire of Cape Girardeau,, Debbie Blumenberg and husband Barry and Marlys Coffer of East Prairie.

Other surviving family members are three sisters, Freda Wells and Teny Chappell of Evansville, Ind., Thelma Mae McCloud of Davenport, Fla.; two brothers, Ernest Batson of Houston, Texas, Billy Jo Batson of Crossville, Tenn.; 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Friends may call after 6 p.m. Sunday at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20 in the Shelby Chapel with Martin Lucas and Larry Smith co-officiating.

Burial will follow in the Dogwood Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be McIvan Jones, Donnie Scott, Carl Moore, Cecil Hammontree, Vernon Wells and Richard Kelly.

Honorary pallbearers will be Frankie Higgerson, Shirley Bard, Gene Cade, Chuck Hayden, James Marcum, Gene Bennett and Al Hill.

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Memorial contributions can be made to:

Historical Society of East Prairie
c/o LaWanda Douglas
309 DeField St.
East Prairie, MO 63845

Paid obituary