Sidney Albert Brittle Sr., 85, or Sid as he was known to the residents of Sedley, “crossed the bar” on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014. He is now with his mother and father, Minnie and Claude Brittle, and brothers, Edgar and Wallace Brittle (Frances), in the loving arms of the Lord.

He is survived by LaRue Jones Brittle; sister, Julia Agnes Brittle Bowden of Richmond; children: Sidney (Toot) Brittle Jr. (Laurie), Minnie Brittle Rose (Keith), Cheryl Stepp and Lorraine Whitehead (Tilghman Phelps), all of Sedley; grandchildren, Mandy Hewett, Austin Whitehead (Monica), Kristen Rose-Darden (Jerimy), Brian Rose (Jodi), Caleb Whitehead, Carter, Cole and Whitley Brittle; four great-grandchildren, Callie Rose, James, “Little Sidney” and (otw) Makinleigh Darden; nephew and niece, Wayne (Smokey) Brittle (Sherri) and Becky Brittle Ringler (Terri).

Sidney (aka Fishhook) lived most of his younger life in Wakefield where he farmed the site of the first peanuts grown in the United States, but became enamored by so many on his routes as a school bus driver where he gave out candy, and as that “good-looking delivery man” for Parker Oil Company. During this time, he was a member of Wakefield Christian Church and Wakefield Fire Department.

In the mid-60’s, he left Wakefield and moved to Sedley and began work as a pipefitter for Union Bag Camp. He became a member of the Franklin Moose Lodge and the Bronco Rod & Gun Club.

He was also very active on the Sedley Volunteer Fire Department.

After his retirement in 1991, he spent many of his days helping on the Whitley Farm in Sedley. As the years went by and age caught up with him, he was most often seen sitting and shooting the breeze with the rest of the “Old Geezer’s Club” in front of the Sedley Store, or under the shelter at the fire department — oh, I almost forgot — or riding the road between Franklin and Sedley to get his cigarettes.

His last summer was spent close to family eating and playing pool in the Whitehead garage in Sedley. There he was dubbed “Side Pocket Sidney.”

Now his work here is done and he has gone on to that place of comfort where there are no more tears or strife.

The memorial service will be at R.W. Baker & Co., Wakefield Chapel in Wakefield, Virginia, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13. Interment will follow at the Wakefield Cemetery. The rock we place at his gravesite is to remember: Sidney Albert Brittle Sr. was here and such a man.

Friends and family are invited to the Sedley Volunteer Fire Department for refreshments following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Sedley Volunteer Fire Department, 18080 Johnson’s Mill Road, Sedley, VA 23878.

www.rwbakerfh.com