Etta Brittain East

Etta Brittain East April 27, 1919 - January 25, 2016 Etta Brittain East, 96, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 25, 2016, at her home in Bryan, Texas. A service celebrating her life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 6, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel with Chaplain Russell Bone officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery . Preceding the funeral service, visitation will be held at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Etta was born April 27, 1919, in Taft, Texas, to Joe and Laura Brittain, the seventh of nine children. In 1940, Etta graduated from Baylor University with a B.A. in Education and Business. Etta married the love of her life, Charles Dubose East, June 7, 1941, and enjoyed 62 years of marriage before his death in 2003. Before starting a family, Etta taught high school, and she returned to teaching for a number of years when her daughters were older. Faith was central to Etta’s life, and she was always active in the Baptist churches she belonged to, participating in Bible studies, WMU and teaching Sunday school. Always an avid reader and a beautiful letter writer, Etta’s family will treasure her many sent letters and cards that were always underlined for emphasis. Etta was also a life-long sports fan. Her knowledge and passion for football, baseball and basketball were impressive, and she was a loyal fan and supporter to her beloved Baylor Bears. Etta was a true lady who lived out her faith each day. She was kind, generous, and caring to old and new friends alike, but her real gift was making each member of her family feel like they were the most special person in the world. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles East; three brothers, Burl Brittain, Noel Brittain, and J.L. Brittain; and four sisters, Elna Frazier, Villa Mae Roden, Lillian Gary, and LaVerne Nelson. She is survived by her sister, Ruth Averitt of Waco; three daughters, Jane Malaise (Bob) of College Station, Joye Bone (Garry) of Mechanicsville, Virginia, and Jean Day of Dallas; and her grandchildren, Michelle Cameron (Keith), Chuck Malaise (Devin), Becca Heckman (Christian), Russell Bone (Sarah), Michael Day (Lynne), and Laura Day (Caroline Murphy). Etta is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers are Ken Brittain, Glen Gary, Chris Gary, Britt Nelson, Terry Nelson, Joe Averitt, Kip Averitt and Kyle Averitt. Memorials may be made to The Joe L. Brittain and Laura S. Brittan Endowed Scholarship Fund at Baylor University. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.