David Earl Britt, 63, of Dawsonville, died Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010.

Born Sept. 18, 1946 in Mullins, S.C. he had lived in Dawson County over 30 years, having moved from Gainesville. Mr. Britt was formerly employed by Ruralist Press in Oakwood, Belmont Glass Company in Marietta and owned and operated Custom Body Works in Dawson County.

He was an ordained minister with Kilough Church by the Lake Inc. where he served as director of missions for the ministry having begun as director of children's ministries.

His wife, LaDale, served as financial administrator.

He and his wife began working in the local church bus ministry in the 1980s and eventually founded All God's Children Puppet Ministries, ministering in many churches and schools locally and overseas in Mexico and Africa. His vision and drive was missions, where he and LaDale spent the past 16 years traveling several times a year to the Yucatan, Mexico going from village to village conducting puppet shows, providing clothes, food and medical supplies to underprivileged children. What began as a trip for just the two Britt's became a trip twice a year and a team of eager mission-minded men, women and young people partnering with them to teach the Gospel with puppets, tracts and song.

David's ability to plan, organize and lead the teams was to be his trademark. As he and his team ministered, they would return with projects to send funds or tools to Mexico to help churches teach, preach, sing or conduct ministry in some way.

At the time of his death, David was collaborating with his pastor and other Para-church organizations to reach the Native American Indians and meets needs in Appalachia, Israel and Europe and continue his love for helping those at home.

Kilough Church by the Lake will continue to carry out those ministries.

His father, Earl Britt, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife of 33 years, LaDale Britt of Dawsonville; children, Beth and Charlie Hill of Dawsonville, Keith and Melanie Britt of Augusta; mother, Doris Britt of Mullins, S.C.; grandchildren, Zoé Hill, Alicia Britt, Amanda Britt; sister, Jean Elliott of Mullins, S.C.; brother and sister-in-law, Dennis and Jonnie Britt of Florence, S.C.; mother-in-law, Clara Barger of Dawsonville; various other relatives also survive.

Memorial services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31 at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Jeff Burrell officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations were requested made to the Gracie Hill Scholarship Fund, c/o Chestatee State Bank, 6639 Hwy. 53 East, Dawsonville, GA 30534.

Bearden Funeral Home of Dawsonville was in charge of the arrangements.