Funeral Information
Location:
Monroe Street Christian Church
Date: 12-20-2025
Time: 2:00 PM
Time: 2:00 PM
Visitation Information
Location:
Monroe Street Christian Church
Date:
Time:
Time:
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Obituary
Ann Marie Sephus Britts was called home on December 11, 2025. She was born on May 9, 1934, in Hannibal, Missouri. She was the second daughter to William Robert and Anna Rosalie Jones Sephus. She was fondly called Ree-Ree by her older sister, Marjorie, and her parents. Marie was baptized into Christ in June of 1942 at an early age in Bear Creek located in Rural Hannibal. She was so happy and related it to the baptism of Jesus as she compared the Jordan River to Bear Creek. Marie could often be heard telling her grandchildren and only sister about that special day. Marie was very blessed and provided a strong Christ filled bible and scripture education. She led teachers, pastors, and Christian youth fellowship organization (CYF) at Second Christian Church and Willow Street Christian in Hannibal. Marie was the 1952 Valedictorian graduate of Hannibal Douglas High School and attended LLCC in Springfield, Illinois. She was united in marriage to Harry Louis Britts on August 2, 1952. To this union of their love were two blessings from God, their sons, Roderick and Robert, (deceased) both dearly loved. She and her family continued residence until June 1963 after which they relocated to Springfield, Illinois, seeking enhanced growth and opportunities that materialized from Jesus Christ’s blessing.
Marie passed a long history of employment and volunteer service that netted her many close friends in church, numerous organizations, and neighborhood improvements as secretary. Beginning her first job in Springfield, she enjoyed a Holiday Inn job as a housekeeper. Later, she began Civil Service testing in Federal and State agencies, then Marie began working in the United States Federal Department of Revenue for Collections Department, followed by the State Department of Personnel Employment counselors for model Employer Programs and lastly, employment at the State Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, company name later changing to the State Department of Commerce and Economic Development, where she officially retired on December 31, 1991, from the accounting section with much joy and celebration, as Marie was able to provide complete care for her aging mother in her home.
Listed are Marie’s many volunteer services as Den Mother for her sons, Boys Club of America, Department of Mental Health Lincoln State School Pediatrics Divisions, Carvers Nursing home as aid to residents and kitchen help. Parent Teachers Associations for her children and grandchildren. Inner city mission early beginnings in MSCC, later being at the 7th Street location. Serving Jesus willingly in the Urban Ministries providing food, clothing, utility transportation, etc. She was a Central Counties Board member and was given the honor to cut the ribbon during the grand opening ceremony of the new facility and CVS pharmacy on Cook Street. She liked to sew, designing bible era clothing and costumes fashioned from old cloth and costume jewelry to be used in church programs, skits, and plays. She was awarded a plaque from the Monroe Street Christian Church for 38 years of teaching the junior attendees class she proudly displays. Marie helped to make bibs for nursing home residents and spent many hours at Lewis Memorial Christian Home providing aid to residents, she served on the Card and Calling Ministry for the Guiding Lights Women, calling and visitation teams, hospitality, and choir. She gratefully obtained guardianship for four beloved great grandchildren in 2014.
Marie always had a great love for her many teddy bears, last count more than 40, the oldest at the time of writing being 91 years old. He was a gift from her parents on Christmas 1934. That began her love for all bears according to her parents. She loved picnics, family gatherings/outings, fishing, and reading. She had an immense love for music, also sports, as she was a Chicago Bears, Bulls, and St. Louis Cardinals fan. She was very active in parental support of her son’s membership in the Springfield Junior Falcon and Statesmen Drum and Bugle Corps. Marie looked forward to time well spent with her family. She absolutely adored her family. Marie shared with them many hours of enjoyment that included walking for health, transportation, and overall moral support to doctors visits, lunch, etc. filled with many wonderful memories and she was designated by all members of her family to be the official taste tester for all of the delicious recipes, especially their original ideas. Marie was remembered with flowers, cards, and gifts on all her personal days. She cherished attending church and catering at her favorite restaurants with family every Sunday after worship.
Marie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 48 years, Harry Louis Britts; son, Robert Carlyle Britts; granddaughter, Christa Elise Britts; sister, Marjorie R. Sephus Coleman; and grandson, Raheem U. Britts. Many survivors are waiting to join her in heaven, her son, Roderick G. Britts and his wife, Mary Beth Britts, and daughter-in-law, Julie M. Britts; grandchildren, Carmen M. Britts, Camille R. Britts, and Richard L. Britts; and great-grandchildren, Jazmen M. Britts, Aryana C. Baltimore, Natieanna N. Britts, Saniya L. Britts, Khrista R. Britts-Masters, Carlina L. Anderson, Shawniece M. Anderson, Khaleia L. Britts-Masters, Alayna R. Britts, Alyssa L. Britts, Karlyle R. Britts-Massey, Polaris I. Macklin, and Solaris M. Macklin. Marie boasted and claimed many godchildren whom she loved as her own, Tanya Overton, Jessica Gray-Wanner, James Moore, Rodney Moore, Arthur Moore, Russell Moore, Scott Moore, and sister, Mia Madison, as well as James Davis. She cherished her nieces, Adrienne Coleman, Ashleigh Coleman, Isabella and Marissa Coleman, and had much love for her cousins, Harry Sephus, Jr., Lenna Williams and family, Victoria and husband, Phil Moudant, Lillie Jackson and family. Close family friends include, Bill and Kathy Dodd, Henry Jones, and Ruth Linear.
Marie passed a long history of employment and volunteer service that netted her many close friends in church, numerous organizations, and neighborhood improvements as secretary. Beginning her first job in Springfield, she enjoyed a Holiday Inn job as a housekeeper. Later, she began Civil Service testing in Federal and State agencies, then Marie began working in the United States Federal Department of Revenue for Collections Department, followed by the State Department of Personnel Employment counselors for model Employer Programs and lastly, employment at the State Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, company name later changing to the State Department of Commerce and Economic Development, where she officially retired on December 31, 1991, from the accounting section with much joy and celebration, as Marie was able to provide complete care for her aging mother in her home.
Listed are Marie’s many volunteer services as Den Mother for her sons, Boys Club of America, Department of Mental Health Lincoln State School Pediatrics Divisions, Carvers Nursing home as aid to residents and kitchen help. Parent Teachers Associations for her children and grandchildren. Inner city mission early beginnings in MSCC, later being at the 7th Street location. Serving Jesus willingly in the Urban Ministries providing food, clothing, utility transportation, etc. She was a Central Counties Board member and was given the honor to cut the ribbon during the grand opening ceremony of the new facility and CVS pharmacy on Cook Street. She liked to sew, designing bible era clothing and costumes fashioned from old cloth and costume jewelry to be used in church programs, skits, and plays. She was awarded a plaque from the Monroe Street Christian Church for 38 years of teaching the junior attendees class she proudly displays. Marie helped to make bibs for nursing home residents and spent many hours at Lewis Memorial Christian Home providing aid to residents, she served on the Card and Calling Ministry for the Guiding Lights Women, calling and visitation teams, hospitality, and choir. She gratefully obtained guardianship for four beloved great grandchildren in 2014.
Marie always had a great love for her many teddy bears, last count more than 40, the oldest at the time of writing being 91 years old. He was a gift from her parents on Christmas 1934. That began her love for all bears according to her parents. She loved picnics, family gatherings/outings, fishing, and reading. She had an immense love for music, also sports, as she was a Chicago Bears, Bulls, and St. Louis Cardinals fan. She was very active in parental support of her son’s membership in the Springfield Junior Falcon and Statesmen Drum and Bugle Corps. Marie looked forward to time well spent with her family. She absolutely adored her family. Marie shared with them many hours of enjoyment that included walking for health, transportation, and overall moral support to doctors visits, lunch, etc. filled with many wonderful memories and she was designated by all members of her family to be the official taste tester for all of the delicious recipes, especially their original ideas. Marie was remembered with flowers, cards, and gifts on all her personal days. She cherished attending church and catering at her favorite restaurants with family every Sunday after worship.
Marie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 48 years, Harry Louis Britts; son, Robert Carlyle Britts; granddaughter, Christa Elise Britts; sister, Marjorie R. Sephus Coleman; and grandson, Raheem U. Britts. Many survivors are waiting to join her in heaven, her son, Roderick G. Britts and his wife, Mary Beth Britts, and daughter-in-law, Julie M. Britts; grandchildren, Carmen M. Britts, Camille R. Britts, and Richard L. Britts; and great-grandchildren, Jazmen M. Britts, Aryana C. Baltimore, Natieanna N. Britts, Saniya L. Britts, Khrista R. Britts-Masters, Carlina L. Anderson, Shawniece M. Anderson, Khaleia L. Britts-Masters, Alayna R. Britts, Alyssa L. Britts, Karlyle R. Britts-Massey, Polaris I. Macklin, and Solaris M. Macklin. Marie boasted and claimed many godchildren whom she loved as her own, Tanya Overton, Jessica Gray-Wanner, James Moore, Rodney Moore, Arthur Moore, Russell Moore, Scott Moore, and sister, Mia Madison, as well as James Davis. She cherished her nieces, Adrienne Coleman, Ashleigh Coleman, Isabella and Marissa Coleman, and had much love for her cousins, Harry Sephus, Jr., Lenna Williams and family, Victoria and husband, Phil Moudant, Lillie Jackson and family. Close family friends include, Bill and Kathy Dodd, Henry Jones, and Ruth Linear.