Rev. Thomas N. Brittain

Thomas N. Brittain made his triumphant entry into heaven on Thursday March 6, 2025. He was born on September 30,1927 in Inman S.C., the middle child of T.C. Brittain and Belle Brown Brittain.  He married his childhood sweetheart, Jean Casey Brittain, on July 2, 1947 at Inman Methodist Church. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in July 2017.

Big Tom (as most called him)  is survived by his son, Thomas Casey Brittain (Kathy) of Myrtle Beach S.C. and his daughter, Jan Brittain of Mooresville N.C., by four loving grandchildren, their spouses and 9 great grandchildren (one more coming in June). Thomas Casey Brittain, Jr. (Yvonne, Anna Kate and Walker), Andrew Preston Brittain (Elizabeth, Dunbar Magnus, and Cepree), Mary Madison Brittain Langway (Drew, Lilly and Andrew) of Myrtle Beach SC and Riley Brittain Donahue (Jenica, Lochlan, Finnan, baby sister to come) of Seattle, WA. His children, grandchildren and great grands were the delight of his life and he was indeed their champion. “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their parents.” Proverbs 17:6

He was predeceased by his wife, Jean Casey Brittain, his parents, Phil Brittain (step mother), two brothers: Jake and Bill, and by one beloved grandchild Thomas Wade Donahue.

He graduated from Inman High School in 1944, having spent his childhood and youth in the years of the depression and World War II. By the time he was 11, he had lived in 38 different states. He graduated from Wofford College and Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

Big Tom received his license to preach at the age of 15 and taught Sunday School on February 9, just three weeks before his death. His family and countless members of local churches and communities celebrate his 82 years of service to Jesus through the United Methodist Church. He began as an appointed pastor while in seminary at the age of 20, serving 5 different congregations in North Georgia. Returning to SC, he served the Swansea Charge, St. Andrews in Orangeburg, Triune in Greenville, Buford Street in Gaffney, First UMC in Conway, Trinity in Spartanburg, First UMC in Myrtle Beach, as a District Superintendent in Charleston, and as Vice President of Development at Epworth Children’s home. Along the way he served on countless local boards for various helping agencies, Wofford College Board of Trustees and numerous SC Conference UMC boards. He was a delegate numerous times to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church, preached at the largest Methodist Church in the world (South Korea), at the oldest Methodist Church in the world (John Wesley’s The New Room in England), and in over 700 local United Methodist Churches in SC.

But with all his responsibilities to his ministry, he never neglected his role as husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He traveled to countless universities on Saturday night to see his son play football for Wofford and rushed home, rising early the next morning to preach two services. He and Jean attended ballgames, concerts, plays, worship services. He preached in every church that his daughter served in NC. On the Saturday before he died, he was at the ballgame of a great grandson. He showed up.

He and Jean also loved to travel, to see new places, visit beautiful and historic sites and meet new people. In their seventy year marriage, they traveled to all 50 states, 36 countries, half a dozen islands and four continents. To God be the Glory.

The family will receive friends at McMillan Funeral Home (910 67th Ave N, Myrtle Beach) on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 from 4:00PM to 6:00PM. Friend and family will gather to celebrate this life of faith, hope and love and give thanks for the promise of a shared eternity at First Methodist Church, Myrtle Beach on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 11:00am

Memorials may be made to:

The Children’s Ministry or the Outreach/Mission Ministry at the church of your choice.

The Camp Endowment Fund at First Methodist, Myrtle Beach.

The Thomas N. Brittain Scholarship at: Wofford College 429 North Church Street Spartanburg, S.C. 29301

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