Wallace O'Neil Britton

Wallace O. Britton
February 3, 1925 – December 20, 2019
Wallace O’Neil Britton went to live with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, December 20, in Johnson City, Tennessee. He was 94, born on February 3, 1925 to Willie R. (Bill) Britton and Sallie Bennett Britton in Colt, Arkansas.
Raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Wallace served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a Hospitalman aboard ship in Bristol, England. Upon being discharged from military service, Wallace enrolled and studied at the University of Tennessee and Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. In the meantime, he met and married the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Turner, on June 10, 1947. Wallace and Elizabeth enjoyed over 72 years together.
Besides his wife, Wallace is survived by his children, Beth Anderson of Westerville, Ohio, John Britton (Sherry) of Marietta, Georgia, and Becky Parker (Burnie) of Fredericksburg, Virginia. He also leaves grandchildren, Charles Anderson (Melanie), Michael Anderson (Roxanne), Amelia Britton Wilson (Craig), Will Britton, Jenny Parker Taylor (Kevin), and Jason Parker (Katie), as well as seven great-grandchildren Ethan and Hope Anderson, Koda and Marleigh Taylor, Alistair Wilson, Jasper and Asa Anderson.
Mr. Britton served as a Baptist minister in music and education in many churches in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and Missouri. Locally he served First Baptist Church in Elizabethton (early 1950’s) and Central Baptist in Johnson City (early 1960’s). Upon retirement, Wallace and Elizabeth lived many years in Memphis, Tennessee, where they both were regular volunteers at the Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Wallace loved giving walking tours of the hospital while Elizabeth worked in the playroom, caring for children coming for treatment. They moved to Johnson City in 1999 and once again worshiped at Central Baptist Church.
A private graveside service will be held at Mountain Home National Cemetery on January 7, 2020, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 3:00 pm at Central Baptist Church, Johnson City, the family to receive friends after the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial donations be sent to the Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention via Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, P.O. Box 682789, Franklin, TN 37068.
Memories and condolences may be shared via www.morrisbaker.com.
Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 E. Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, is serving the Britton Family. (423)282-1521