Cissi Britt

Florence “Cissi” Esther Britt of Hoover, Alabama, passed peacefully late in the evening on Tuesday, January 28th, 2025, covered in prayer and surrounded by loving family.

Florence Ester Holt was born on September 27th, 1952, in Biloxi, Mississippi, and the world was forever changed. Florence, known by all who loved her as Cissi, was the first child born to her overjoyed parents, Mary Elizabeth and James Jay Holt, who would eventually precede her in death. A few short years later, the Holt family would become complete with the addition of Buddy, Cissi’s only sibling and first best friend.

Even as a child, Cissi was smart, witty, and talkative—traits she never lost. She cherished her mother and grandmother and adored her father. Cissi developed an early interest in music, movies, and reading, which became lifelong passions.

After graduating from Demopolis High School in 1970, Cissi briefly attended Mississippi State College for Women before continuing her studies at a community college in Knoxville, TN, where she proudly earned an Associate’s Degree.

In 1972, Cissi began what would become one of her most proud and joyful roles in life when she became a mother to her first child, her daughter Liz. Mirroring her own family, Cissi would welcome a son a few short years later, in 1976, with the addition of her second and final child, Chris. Any conversation with Cissi would eventually turn to how her children were doing, and she’d beam with pride as she excitedly detailed the newest adventure they were on.

The final piece of the puzzle to Cissi’s family was put into place in 1987 when she married her husband, Walter. Surrounded by friends and family, and with Cissi’s father officiating the wedding, Cissi and Walt were married in the living room of the home they would go on to share for 37 years. Those years were filled with car rides going the long way just to enjoy the view and the time together—countless game nights, bowling leagues, trips to the beach, and meals at their favorite restaurants. Their adventures kept them busy, but they could be content spending a night at home watching camping and fishing videos together. All you had to do was spend a little time with them to see how perfectly they fit together.

Whether it be bookkeeper, sister, Aunt Cissi, wife, Mama, Gigi, or friend, Cissi took every role she had to heart and made sure everyone around her knew how much she loved and cared for them. You would never miss a birthday or holiday card from her, sealed with far more stickers than necessary. Cissi could make the absolute best rum cake you’d ever taste, which became a holiday staple for her family. Saturdays were for football and her beloved Crimson Tide. For decades, she could be found cheering them on with infectious excitement, making every game an unforgettable experience for those around her. Watching her watch a game was truly more entertaining than the game itself. Cissi loved to fill her days with trips to thrift stores or yard sales, watching a movie, or being cuddled up at home with a glass-bottle Coke and one of her little dogs, reading away at a good book.

As proud as she was of her library collection, she wouldn’t hesitate to give away her books to others in hopes they would enjoy them as much as she did. It speaks volumes about how she lived her life—sharing her joy with others. She truly made the lives of those she touched happier and more full.

Outside of being preceded in death by her cherished parents, she was also preceded by her grandparents: Florence Burnes Holt and William Harwell Holt, Esther McCary Coaker, and Seigfried Moore Coaker. She was also preceded in death by numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Left to cherish Cissi’s memory are her survivors: her husband, Walter Britt; her son, Chris (Sarah) Lynxwiler; her daughter, Liz (Sally Jones) Lynxwiler; her brother, Buddy (Jenny) Holt; as well as her beloved grandchildren, Shea and CJ Lynxwiler.

Visitation will be Monday, February 3, 2025 from 10:30am ~ 11:30am with a Celebration of Life at 11:30am and the burial to follow all at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home 9090 Highway 100 Nashville TN 37221