Britton Charles McElvaine

Britton Charles McElvaine, Sr. (also called Britt but affectionately known as “So Slick”), was born to Eartha and Benny McElvaine, II on August 13th, 1965 in Memphis, Tennessee. That same year, the McElvaine family relocated to San Diego, California and took 728 Elizabeth Street by storm, (a home the family still owns and lives in until this day). Britt was very curious and enjoyed learning. His parents instilled within him a specific love for knowledge and an interest in history and politics. He attended Robert F. Kennedy Elementary, Gompers Secondary School and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1983.

While in high school he played several sports, but he had a special talent for baseball and was an ambidextrous player for the Southeastern Senior League Padres team. His brother Victor acknowledged that if Britt would have continued in baseball he could have been a contender for the major leagues. But if you asked Brit, his proudest athletic achievement was making it to CIF with his badminton team. They didn’t win, but at least they made it!

Although Glenda and Britt went to high school together, it wasn’t until 1986 when Glenda’s god brother Petey Mayo introduced them saying, “my buddy wants to meet you.” Glenda met and fell in love with Britt and his three year old son “Little Britt” whom she helped raise as her own. Britt and Glenda were committed to each other from that time on. On the 20th of August, 1987, their son Marcelles was born. Glenda and Britt married in a private courthouse ceremony on April 28th, 2005.

Britt’s first job was as a janitor at Sears Department Store. He went on to work for North Island Janitorial Service, and PWC/Public Works Center/Naval Base in construction and roofing until his back gave out and forced his retirement. The work he especially loved was with a neighborhood lawn care business owned by the Long Family, mowing yards. Britt was well known on his job, on his block and in his community. He was able to relate to everyone no matter where they were from.

Britt was known to loudly debate topics like politics, sports, history, and community issues. He read the newspaper from front to back and watched educational television programs daily. If you needed to know anything, you could count on Britt for an answer; it may have been laced with a few choice words, but you were getting an answer! He had a sharp wit and was quick with the comebacks. He loved to rename his friends by giving them nicknames that fit what he thought they should be called.  He was a true fan and enjoyed watching the Chargers and Padres (even though he talked smack about them). He loved talking with people, reggae music, and most of all fishing with the apple of his eye - his granddaughter Marcella, whom he lovingly called “Pink.” He would wake her up at 2:00 am to start their fishing and bonding time together and she would always oblige. Britt was truly one of a kind and will forever be missed.

After a fierce, knockdown, drag out fight with cancer, Britt closed his eyes to rest and died peacefully on May 1st, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents Eartha and Benny McElvaine II, his sons Britton “Little Britt” McElvaine, II and Marcelles McElvaine, all of whom he loved dearly. Left to cherish his legacy and memory are his wife Glenda McElvaine, granddaughter Marcella McElvaine; his siblings Benny (Diane) McElvaine, III, Rodney (Janice) McElvaine, Victor (Eartha) McElvaine, sister Fairy Elisa McElvaine and Darryl McDaniel, along with an entire community made up of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, friends, and neighbors.

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