Amzia Louise Britton

FAIRHOPE, AL Amzia Louise Britton, of Fairhope, passed away December 15, 2011, at the age of 95.  She was born in the little town of Stonewall, MS, on August 20, 1916, the eldest of the five children of William N. Barlow and Mary H. Barlow.   Growing up as a child of the Great Depression,  Louise had to drop out of high school and go to work in the local cotton mill to help supplement the family income.  By now her family was living in Laurel, MS.  There she met Paul Britton when he came to repair her looms in the mill.  They married in 1937 and eventually had three children.    The Britton family moved to Fairhope in 1953.  Difficult times had led Louise to become a hard worker with a determined but fun loving spirit.  These traits would serve her well when, at age 44, with a teenage daughter still at home,  she was widowed.  She worked at Shell’s Variety store in Fairhope and later at the Grand Hotel.   As a young girl, Louise always loved school and was an excellent student.  She deeply regretted having to drop out.  After her retirement from the Marriott Grand, she earned her GED at age 70.  This accomplishment was a source of pride for both her and her family.   Ms. Britton was a member of Fairhope First Baptist Church for 58 years.  She attended the Open Bible Sunday School Class faithfully for many years until her health failed.   She was preceded in death by husband, Paul S. Britton, son, Paul E. Britton, sister, Ola Armstrong of Laurel, MS, and brothers, John L Barlow and William Newman Barlow, also of Laurel.   Survivors are daughters, Mary Elizabeth Lane of Cullman and Rebecca Thornton of Fairhope, sister, Mary Netherland of Pearl, MS, sister-in-law, Sarah Barlow of Laurel,MS, three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, two great great-grandchildren, three nieces and one nephew.    Graveside services at Memory Gardens of Fairhope at 12:00 p.m. Monday, December 19, 2011.  The Rev. Jeff Ingram of Fairhope First Baptist officiated. ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 19698 GREENO ROAD FAIRHOPE, AL  36532