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BRISTOL, Virginia – Marshall Kenneth Brittle Sr., 77, passed away at his home on Nov. 4, 2024. His beautiful smile, sense of humor and love for family and friends will not be forgotten by those who loved him.

Born in Richmond, Ken was raised on the family farm in Southampton County, Virginia. He was instilled at an early age with values which served him well throughout his life – integrity, hard work, diligence, loyalty and love of family and the land. Ken called Bristol home for over 40 years. A life-long accent, however, left no doubt to the deep-roots of the Tidewater area. He loved returning home to join family members and friends, hunt with the Farmers Hunt

Club, walk the woods, fish in the ponds and listen to the dogs run for a hunt.

Ken graduated from Campbell College in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in geology, continuing his education at Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia. He began his professional career with Union Camp Corporation as a member of the Nansemond Forest Land Management Group. In 1971, he moved to Fredericksburg to become the District Geologist for the Virginia Department of Transportation. In 1978 he moved his young family to Richmond where he became responsible for VDOT training across the Commonwealth of Virginia. In 1982 he was named District Materials Engineer in Bristol and thus began his tenure in Southwest Virginia. Ken served as Abingdon Residency Administrator, returned to the Bristol District Office and served as District Maintenance Engineer, District Construction Engineer, Acting Bristol District Administrator and retired in 2012 as Assistant District Administrator for Planning and Investment Management.

Ken leaves a lasting legacy in his church and community. A lover of music from childhood, Ken enjoyed playing the piano and guitar and singing with family and friends. His support for the arts and music continued throughout his life from foregoing recess in elementary school in order to take piano lessons, to serving as high school Drum Major, to supporting meaningful projects such as the establishment of the Mid-Atlantic Chamber Orchestra and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.

A member of Central Presbyterian Church for over 40 years, Ken served the church faithfully in a number of capacities. He was a deacon, an elder, and a member of the Board of Trustees. He served as Superintendent of Sunday School for over 30 years.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Rubin Marshall Brittle and Alma Leclare Griffin Brittle and brother-in-law, C. Stuart Ridout. He is survived by his wife, Linda Vaughan Brittle and two children, Lorraine Leclare Brittle of Kennebunk, Maine and Marshall Kenneth Brittle Jr. of Bristol. He is also survived by his brother, Rubin Coleman Brittle (Nancy) of Blacksburg; his sister, India Sue Brittle Ridout of Fredericksburg; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ann Shelton Vaughan Gambrell and Bill Gambrell of Virginia Beach and beloved nieces and nephews, Eric and Ryan Brittle, Renee Brittle Stansbury, John and Gregory Ridout, Ellen Rivers and Connor Vaughan Gambrell and their families.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Central Presbyterian Church, 331 Euclid Avenue, Bristol, Virginia 24201 or charity of choice. The family will receive friends on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Wakefield United Methodist Church.