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Ann Lett Britt
CHARLESTON, Mo. — Thomas Ann Lett Britt, died at her home in Charleston Dec. 17, 2022.
Thomas Ann Lett was born at home in Bertrand, Missouri, on Jan. 27, 1930. She was the ninth child of Thomas Lafayette Lett and Minnie Evelyn Golightly Lett. Ann was educated at Bertrand and Charleston Schools. Following her graduation from Charleston High School in 1948, Ann began her adult life employed by the Mississippi County Public Library.
On Aug. 28, 1952, she married Wilford “Wop” Stanley Britt. Of this union were born two daughters, Thomas Ann “Tomee Ann” and Jane Stanlee “Janey” Britt.
The couple soon relocated to Fort Worth, Texas. Tragically, in 1962, Wop was killed in a car accident. Now independently responsible for the rearing of two children, Ann returned with them to the Missouri Bootheel. The next years were spent in East Prairie, Missouri, until moving to Sikeston, Missouri, in the late 1970s.
Ann, fondly known to many as “Annie Fannie,” delighted in the fine points of life. A consummate purveyor and critic of hospitality, food, and drink, Ann was known as an excellent cook and recipe analyst. Disciplined and voraciously curious, Ann was a lifelong learner and student. She delighted in well-written articles, interesting people, and meaningful conversation. Ann was committed to a robust social life and a sought-after companion and guest. Active and an avid golfer, she was a member of the Ladies Golf Association and a regular member at the YMCA. Ann enjoyed football, both collegiate and professional. Cheering for the Rebels in The Grove was much to her amusement–especially in the company of her family and “bonus” family, The Shelbys.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Wop Britt, siblings Virginia Lett DeWeese, Robert Lett, Marie Lee Hamrick, John Lett, Mary Jane Lett Lucas, June Lett Couch, Hattie Nell Lett, and Lucille Lett Jackson as well as half-siblings Cora Lett Dodge, Laura Lett, Fred Lett, Hardy T. Lett and Joseph R. Lett.
Ann is survived by two daughters, Thomas Ann Britt of Charleston, Missouri; Jane Stanlee Britt (Stephen Spoon) of Savannah, Georgia; two grandchildren Thomas Hetherington Story, Jr. (Sarah Price) and Thomas-Ann Britt Story Shelby (Justin Shelby) of Houston, Missouri.
Ann’s beloved friend Helen Hunter Shelby Lee provided Ann with four “bonus” daughters, Deborah Shelby Williams (David) of Charleston, Missouri; Susan Shelby Carey (Billy), Barbara “Boo” Shelby McMurray (Dabney) both of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and Mari Travis Shelby Graves (Jack) of Tunica, Mississippi. She also leaves a special friend and helper. Shirley Townsend Cline of Sikeston, Missouri.
Ann was a lifelong member of the Bertrand Methodist Church. Her grandfather, John Lett, a founding member of the church, was first baptized there. Since then, generations of the family including Ann’s great grandchildren have been baptized in Bertrand church.
Last summer, Ann led a campaign within the family to contribute to improvements at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to: Bertrand United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 258, Bertrand, MO 63823.
A memorial service will take place at Bertrand Methodist Church at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023.
Ann’s wishes were for her body to be donated to Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri; therefore, there will be no interment services.
Following the memorial service, friends are invited to gather at the home of Tomee Ann Britt to toast Ann and her lifelong friend, Helen Hunter Shelby Lee.
Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.