The Britt

Born in Hazleton, Pennsylvania on December 21, 1950

Departed on December 1, 2020 and resided in Nashville, Tennessee

The Rev. Dr. Edward J. Britt, age 69, of Nashville, passed away December 1, 2020.

Ed was born in Hazelton, PA and spent the first five years of his life in Liberia, Africa as his parents served there as missionaries. He attended Auburn University, then graduated from Scarritt College in 1974. He received his Master's in Christian Education from Scarritt College in 1975, his Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School in 1977, and his Doctorate of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary in 2000. He was an ordained elder in the Tennessee Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and served faithfully as a pastor of United Methodist churches in Middle Tennessee for 40 years.

A minister of word and order by career, Ed also shared the ministry of music everywhere he went. An avid guitarist, he is best known for his musicals collaborations with Joe Bowers in the duo "Bowers and Britt." The pair traveled in the 1970s and 1980s to conferences, retreats, and churches across the country, recording three albums along the way. Though the two remained close and continued to perform together on occasion, Ed went on to write and perform music on his own, recording one album and multiple other tracks, and finally publishing a book of his music weeks before his death. In every song he wrote or performed was an undercurrent of the strong faith his life imbued.

Ed's life reflected a deep love for his family. He deeply revered his father and mother, and brought their example of love and respect for one another into his 45 year marriage to Gail. Together they raised two daughters, Ginny and Rachel. Ministering in Middle Tennessee meant the family was physically far from extended family, but they visited often and built close friendships with people who became like family everywhere they went. He graciously welcomed Mark into the family in 2003, and the small family grew exponentially as they were in turn embraced by Mark's extended family, who always invited Ed to share his music at many family gatherings. Ed's life was filled with the joy of friends, family, and loved ones, but none brought him more joy than his two grandsons, Luke and Ben. He most looked forward to retirement because it meant spending more time with them, and once retired in 2015 he did just that.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents Blanche Lucille Beck Britt and The Rev. Charles Robert Britt, and his sister Martha Helen Mitchell. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Gail B. Britt; daughters Virginia "Ginny" Britt and Rachel Britt Hagewood (Mark); grandchildren Lucas and Benjamin Hagewood; sister Mary Claire Cowen (Jeff); nephew Britt Cowen; nieces Sarah Mitchell Helmkamp (Matt) and Rebecca Mitchell Burchfield (Ben); and many extended family and friends.

The family held a private service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Vanderbilt Divinity School, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), Miriam's Promise, or your local United Methodist Church.

Harpeth Hills Funeral Home, 9090 Hwy 100, Nashville, TN , 37221, 615-646-9292, harpethhills.com