Melvene W Britton

 Melvene Washington Britton transitioned into eternal rest on the morning of September 3, 2022. She was born on November 7, 1936 to the late John Henry Washington and the late Mildred (Bell) Washington. She grew up on The Ridge in Patterson, Georgia and graduated from Lee Street High School. Throughout her childhood, she was an active member of Macedonia Baptist Church in Patterson,Georgia. On February 6 ,1954, Melvene married the late Reverend Walter C. Britton, Jr. Their union was blessed with seven children. After marrying her husband, she joined Greater St. James AME Church in Blackshear, Georgia where she was a loyal and faithful member for sixty-five years serving on the usher board, singing in the choir and coordinating many church activities and outreach. Additionally, she accompanied her husband to his various AME church assignments throughout southeast Georgia. Melvene helped her husband run a farm for over forty years, then in her 50’s, she returned to higher education and went back to school for nursing. She worked in the nursing field for 15 years at the Pierce County Nursing Home and the Waycross Youth Development Center. In her later years, she traveled in the Caribbean and had a special fondness of the Dominican Republic. She loved gardening and became locally famous for her prized okra. She enjoyed canning preserves and chatting with her many friends. She was also an avid fan of the cowboy TV show Gunsmoke. She is survived by six of her children : Felicia L. Hill ( Ronnie) of Blackshear, GA; Dexter Britton of Blackshear, GA; Samantha Cook of Phoenix, AZ; Brando Britton of Blackshear, GA; Rhonda Britton of Blackshear, GA; Nicole Hagood ( Hassan) of Decatur, GA. Her son Stanley Britton preceded her in death in 2013. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren: Clayton Hill of Blackshear, GA; Douglas Hill (Dylinder); Tonya Denton of Metairie, LA; A. J. Britton of Waycross, GA; Jamie Cook ( Deanna) of Tampa, FL; Latrail Cook of Columbus, GA; Jonathan Cook of Roanoke, VA; Christopher Cook of Savannah, GA; Rajan Cook of Phoenix, AZ; Nazareth Hagood of London, England and Victoria Hagood of Atlanta, GA. And seven great-grandchildren : Traybian Williams Hill of Blackshear, GA; Tasha Hill of Metairie, LA; Jayden Britton of Waycross, GA; Titus Cook of Tampa, FL; Ava Cook of Columbus, GA; Maliyah Hill of Blackshear, GA and Zymere Hill of Blackshear, GA. Melvene is also survived by five of her elven siblings: Talmadge Washington ( Lily) of Patterson,GA; Elouise Custard of Columbus, GA; Elizabeth Taylor ( George) of Baxley, GA; Mildred McNair ( Robert) of Mcdonough, GA; and Connie Debela (Achamyeleh) of Durham, NC. Melvene has a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will sorely miss her but no one will miss her more than her favorite and special cousin, Mary Dinkins of Herndon, VA. Homegoing services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday September 10, 2022 at Greater St. James AME Church located at 526 Cherry Street, Blackshear, GA 31516. Interment will be at The Ridge Cemetery located at 5610 Aarons Way, Patterson, Georgia 31557. The family will be returning to Greater St. James AME in Blackshear for the repast. All are welcome to attend.     All arrangements have been entrusted to Rainge Memorial Chapel, Inc.