Charles Bennett Brittain

Charles Bennett Brittain, 82 of Athens, GA passed away Monday, January 2, 2017 following a brief battle with cancer. Born in Morganton, NC on January 13, 1934 to the late Roy and Pearl Brittain, he had recently moved to Athens to be near his son, Randy.
Charles grew up in Morganton where he graduated from Morganton High School in 1952. He graduated from Kings College in Charlotte in 1954 with an associate degree in accounting. He then served a four-year stint in the United States Air Force and returned to Morganton where he was married to Barbara Jean Kerley on August 18, 1959. He was a 40-year employee of Drexel Heritage Furnishings where he served as Payroll Manager. He retired from Drexel in 1998.
His great passion in life was church music and he served for 47 years as a bi-vocational church musician in Baptist churches in the Catawba River and Caldwell Associations. From 1958 to 2005 Charles served as music director at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Southside Baptist Church, Calvin Heights Baptist Church, Concord Baptist Church, Pleasant View Baptist Church, Flemings Chapel Baptist Church, and Amherst Baptist Church. He retired from part-time church music ministry in 2005 and was recognized by the Music and Worship Team of the NC Baptist State Convention for his years of musical leadership in the Baptist church. Upon his retirement, Charles and Barbara made their church home at First Baptist Church Morganton where they were members of the Chancel Choir, Senior Singers, and the Koinonia Sunday School Class.
Charles is survived by his wife of 57 years Barbara; son Randy and wife Anne of Athens, Georgia; grandson Rhett of Athens; and nephew Fred Brittain, Jr. of Morganton (and wife Kathy) who was raised by Charles and Barbara due to the tragic death of Fred Brittain, Sr. and wife Belma in April 1964. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by brothers, Billie Brittain, Fred Brittain, Sr., and Carroll Brittain; and sisters, Doris Brittain and Reba Brittain.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 pm, Friday, January 6, 2016 in the parlor at First Baptist Church. The funeral will follow in the church sanctuary at 2 pm with Dr. Thomas A. Bland Jr. and the Rev. Fred Schuszler officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, Music Ministry, PO. Box 459, Morganton, NC 28680

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.