James Dewey Britt

James Dewey Britt

May 24, 1943 – September 18, 2026

James Dewey Britt, 83, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, September 18, 2026.

The family will receive friends from noon until 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Rocky River Church, located at 887 Pitts School Road SW, Concord, North Carolina 28027. A celebration of James's life will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Rocky River Church. The service will be officiated by his son, the Reverend Jimmy Britt. Burial will follow at Price Cemetery on Friendly Baptist Church Road in Unionville, North Carolina.

James was born on May 24, 1943, to the late Charles Jerome Britt and Annie Barnes Britt. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Alice Simpson Britt, and his brothers, Robert “Pete” Britt, Charles “Chuck” Jerome Britt, and David "Duck" Earl Britt.

A native of Robeson County, North Carolina, James grew up in Lumberton, North Carolina. He lived most of his adult life in Charlotte and Cramerton, North Carolina, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

James met the love of his life, Alice Simpson, at a dance party at “The Hut” in West Lumberton. They were married on Easter Sunday, April 18, 1965, at Berryhill Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Together, they shared more than 61 years of marriage and built a wonderful life centered on faith, family, and love.

James and Alice began their married life in Charlotte, where Alice worked as a hairdresser and James began his career at Contractor's Service. Starting out sweeping floors and working in the rental department, James eventually became a salesman. In 1974, he went into the construction equipment business for himself, establishing Southern Construction Equipment. He remained in the equipment rental business until 2000, when he started Crete-Grind, a company specializing in resurfacing concrete floors.

James had an incredible work ethic and genuinely loved what he did. He took great pride in his work and hoped to remain healthy enough to continue working for the rest of his life. His determination, entrepreneurial spirit, and willingness to work hard were defining characteristics throughout his life.

Having grown up with very little, James understood the value of hard work and the importance of helping others. He was a dependable and generous man who genuinely cared about people. He treated others with kindness and respect, never making fun of or looking down on anyone. He was always willing to help when someone needed him, and his generosity extended far beyond his immediate family.

James and Alice worked hard and made a good life for themselves, but they also made life better for others along the way. Together, they enjoyed traveling all over the world, sharing adventures, making memories, and experiencing life together. Whether they were traveling to distant places or simply spending time with family and friends, they treasured the life they had built together.

James was a devoted husband, a committed father, a proud Grandpa, and a faithful friend. He dearly loved his family, including not only his own brothers and their families but also Alice's siblings and their families. To James, family was never limited to one side or the other. He loved them all, and the relationships he shared with his extended family were among the greatest blessings of his life.

Above all, James was a follower of Jesus Christ, and his faith was an important part of his life. He demonstrated his faith through the way he lived, the way he treated others, and the generosity and kindness he extended to those around him. His love for the church began at West Lumberton Baptist Church, where he played Royal Ambassadors (RA) baseball with local boys, some of whom became lifelong friends. His faith continued to grow and mature as he and Alice became members of Berryhill Baptist Church, where they raised their children and built a strong foundation of faith for their family.

James was preceded in death by Alice, his beloved wife of 61 years, who passed away on August 16, 2026, just 33 days before him. Although their family grieves the loss of both James and Alice in such a short time, they find comfort in their faith and the assurance that they are now reunited in Heaven, together again in the presence of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

James is survived by his brother, Walter "Mitch" Britt; his son, James “Jimmy” D. Britt II, and his wife, Karen, of Harrisburg, North Carolina; and his daughter, Carmen Britt Grindstaff, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kolby Grindstaff of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Alicen Zachary and her husband, Dylan, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Annie Wilkerson and her husband, Seth, of Monroe, North Carolina; and James Britt III and his wife, Sabrina, of Charlotte, North Carolina.

He was also blessed with five great-grandchildren: Skylar Melton, Kooper Grindstaff, Kase Grindstaff, Mason Zachary, and Audrey Wilkerson.