Louise Brittain

Louise Brittain was born August 20, 1924 in Hatfield, Arkansas. The daughter of Horace and Eula Rigsby, Louise passed on March 6, 2010. Her parents, two brothers, one sister, and her husband, Robert Brittain, preceded her in death. Louise is survived by her children, Kitty Ramsey and husband Steve, and Steve Brittain, her grandchildren, Teri Brittain and husband Steven Goertz, Angela Stell and husband Casey, Brian Cardenas, Matthew Ramsey, Katie Ramsey, and great-grandchildren, Samantha Overfelt, Sydney Goertz, and Josephine Stell, all of Austin. Louise graduated from Patton Springs High School in Afton, Texas on May 30, 1941. After graduation at age 16, she left home to enter nurses training. On August 14, 1944, at the age of 19, she graduated from the Hendrick Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Abilene, Texas. Louise then entered the armed services. After completing basic training at Brooks Army Hospital at Fort Sam Houston, she entered this, the newly formed Army Nurse Corp., as an officer. During the war she served in various army hospitals, primarily, in Texas. After her military service, Louise was asked by the American Red Cross to help supervise the medical relief effort following the Texas City disaster in April, 1947. During this time she met Robert Brittain, who had returned from the war in Europe and was working in the Houston area. They later married and were a devoted couple until his death 58 years later. During their marriage, Louise worked as director and supervisor of nurses at several hospitals in Harris County. She and Bob retired to live in Fredericksburg, Texas and finally in Austin to be near their family. Louise took from her experiences as a registered nurse, and as an "Officer and a Lady" to act as the supervisor of her family. Her strength, support, and love will be missed. The family wishes to offer their thanks and appreciation to Dr. Stephen Clark, Dr. George Thorne, Dr. Bill Inman, the staff of Emeritus of North Austin and Brighton Gardens, Keith Bray and the staff of Heart to Heart Hospice for their compassion and friendship. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9th at Weed-Corley-Fish funeral home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd. Private graveside service to follow. Pallbearers will be Orville Wilbanks, Dwayne Wilbanks, Steve Ramsey, Brit Puzey, Matthew Ramsey, Brian Cardenas, Steven Goertz and Casey Stell. Honorary pallbearers will be Allan Williams, Bill White, John Dietz and Jan Breland. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas.