Mr Ray Britt

July 28, 1946 - January 21, 2022

Harold Ray Britt, born July 28, 1946, “slipped the surly bonds of earth and touched the face of God” on January 21, 2022. Ray was born in Walnut Grove, MS and lived there all of his life except for time working his way thru college and attending college. He attended East Central Junior College and Mississippi State University graduating from there in 1968. Upon graduation from MSU, he was offered a job at the Bank of Walnut Grove by Max Johnson, Bank President, who along with H. N. Stuart were mentors to him in his chosen profession. He enjoyed a long career at the bank, retiring as Bank President in 2017 after working there 48 years and 9 months. His employees were family to him and he tried to treat all people the same, and he loved “most” of his customers. They all felt free to call him at any time about banking business at work or at home. He cared deeply for his small town and did all that he could to improve it. He was a Member of the Board of Directors of the Leake County Industrial Development Association from 1989 to 2006, and was recognized by the Mississippi Economic Council as an Economic Development Volunteer of the Year in 1995. He served on the Board of Directors of Central Electric Power Association for several years. He was twice named Man of the Year in Walnut Grove; was honored as Alumnus of the Year by East Central Community College in 1996; and was recognized by the Mississippi Bankers Association for forty years of distinguished service in 2008. He loved all things Mississippi State and was able to attend several football bowl games; went to Omaha to see them play baseball in the College World Series; and enjoyed a trip to the Final Four to see his team play basketball. He was a long time Deacon at Walnut Grove Baptist Church serving several terms until 2019. He taught Sunday School and was the RA leader at WGBC for many years. While in the banking business, he survived a scary ride in 1995 after being taken hostage by bank robbers and being physically assaulted by them while being forced to drive at speeds exceeding one hundred miles an hour. He loved all things WWII and would try to talk to any veteran he came into contact with about their experiences. He loved Breyers Vanilla Ice Cream and Dr Pepper soft drinks, and was not known to pass up either. He was fond of telling people that he had slept with his wife since they were babies, because his mother brought him to visit the twins (his wife and her brother) as an infant and put him in the crib with them. He is survived by: his wife Jayne Ware Britt; his brother Danny Britt (wife Claudene); his nieces and nephews on the Britt side: Steve Britt, Jamie Farish, Julie Dunn, Lisa Siddle, Michael Britt, and Marc Britt; his brothers-in-law who were like brothers to him, Jack Ware, Marcus Ware (wife Pat), Carl Ware (wife Glenda); his nieces and nephews on the Ware side: Debra Goode, Kevin Ware (deceased), Linda Kilgo, Jackie Ware, Mike Ware, Adina Breckenridge, Matthew Ware, and Jonathan Ware; his sisters-in-law Jackye Britt and Lillian Britt. He was predeceased by his dearly adored daughter Allison, his parents Yarbrough and Cornelia, his brothers Dale, Steve, Charlie and Joe; also, his brother-in-law Dale Ware (wife Barbara), sister-in-law, Mary Lou Ware, sister-in-law, Paulda Britt. Ray long ago made plans to donate his body to UMMC. There will be a visitation at 9:30 am on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at Walnut Grove Baptist Church with memorial services to follow at 10:30 am. Please make memorials to Fuston Cemetery Fund, %Bank of Walnut Grove, PO Box 189, Walnut Grove, MS Walnut Grove Baptist Church, PO Box 363, Walnut Grove, MS 39189 (as Ray never met an animal he did not like!). Remo’s Rescue, PO Box 24, Carthage, MS 39051