Arthur Kittrell "Kitten" Wynn, Sr.

A visitation for Kitten Wynn will be held Friday, March 31, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg, Virginia 23188. A service will occur Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 2:00 PM at St. John Baptist Church, 1397 Penniman Rd, Williamsburg, Virginia. The interment will occur Monday, April 3, 2023, at 10:00 AM at Cedar Grove Cemetery, 809 South Henry Street, Williamsburg, Virginia.

For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under the Heaven, a time to be born and a time to die… (Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2).

A Time to be Born Under Heaven - Arthur Kittrell Wynn, Sr., affectionately called Kittrell, Kitten, Kitty-mouse, or Mouse by his family and friends, was born October 24, 1939, to the late Joseph and Daisey Hall Wynn. As Kitten referred to himself, the legend in his own time, was reared in the Highland Park subdivision in the loving home of his grandmother and step-grandfather Maria Ashby Wynn-Lyons and Jimmie Lyons, along with the guiding support of his late aunt, Deaconess Ethel Wynn-Hayes.

A Time to Live and Grow Under Heaven - Kitten attended Bruton Heights School until the 7th grade. Due to redistricting, Kitten transferred to and graduated from James Weldon Johnson School. On Sunday, September 17, 1961, Kitten married the former Edith Deloris Richardson. From this union, they had two children, Arthur Jr. and Carol Ann. Additionally, Kitten was a former member of Union Baptist Church. He loved traditional hymns and gospel music. He often sang Amazing Grace, Soon and Very Soon, or In the Sweet By and By. In the latter days of his life, Kitten called on the Lord. Often, he would say, "Lord have mercy on my soul" or “I got Heaven on my mind” or “Lord, I am ready to go to Heaven. Get me out of here”.

Kitten was a sports enthusiast. During his late teens and early twenties, he played softball for the Highland Park league, the Landscapes. But equally, he loved football. Kitten and his friend, the late Hen Minkins, and his cousin, the late Reverend William Byrd, traveled regularly to Washington, DC, to watch the Washington Redskins (Commanders) play. Further, at 16, Kitten got his first job at the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club as a caddie. It was there that he developed a love for golf. Learning from some great golf luminaries, such as Jack Nicolas, he became known in many circles for his skillfulness on the golf course. Visitors returned to Williamsburg to play a round of golf with Kitten. He was fortunate to play golf with many dignitaries and celebrities—for example, the late President Lyndon B. Johnson, the late Calvin Peete, and former Vice Presidents Al Gore and Dan Quayle. Kitten won first place in many golf tournaments. One of his proudest moments was winning first place in the Newport News Fire Department Charity Golf Tournament. Kitten taught many Williamsburg teenagers to appreciate the game of golf by hiring them to work at the Golf Club as junior caddies. To name a few people who learned under his tutelage were - Gervis Hundley, Nathanial Dove, Felton Thomas, Eric Stone, Reverend Harry Hines, and the late Reverend Thomas Wynne Jr. Lastly, Kitten was instrumental in planning the first golf tournament to benefit Williamsburg’s Toys for Tots initiative.

Kitten delighted in spending time with his family. He especially loved and adored his grandchildren, Gabrielle and Jordan. He was beyond proud of their accomplishments. As Kitten's health declined, he worried about his grandchildren and he often would ask, "Have you heard from Jordan or Gabrielle? When are they coming home?" Kitten also enjoyed the weekly food, fun, fellowship, and family meals with his nieces Virginia Wesley, Sheryl Bullette, Janice Wynne-Mitchelle, Lynell Wynne-Matthews, and nephews John Piggott, Antonio Bullette, Michael Piggott, Willie Matthews, and Kelvin Wynne. Kitten hosted the family’s 2023 Super Bowl gathering. Two weeks ago, while in home hospice, Kitten hosted a family dinner.

A Time to Return to Heaven – Kitten transitioned from earth to Heaven on Thursday March 23, 2023, AM with his son and grandson by his side. Kitten is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Ethel, Daisey, Frances, and Barbara, four brothers; Thomas, James, John, and Thad one half-sister, Betty, and two half-brothers, Howard, and William. Kitten will forever be remembered by his former wife, friend, and caregiver, Edith R. Wynn; Son, Dr. Arthur K. Wynn, Jr., Bel Air, Maryland; Daughter, Carol Ann Wynn, Newport News, Virginia; Grandchildren; Gabrielle Horne, Bowie, Maryland and Jordan Horne, Newport News, Virginia, In-laws, Jean Jones, Ella Dale (Gerald), Ida Richardson, Dorothy Randall, Joyce Easterling, Mary Sellers,  Lloyd Richardson, Jimmy Tatum, and Morris Piggott; special cousins William R. Byrd, Patricia M. Byrd, and Joyce Wynne, and his dear friends, Clarence Taylor, Charles Harris, Fred Satterhite, Ray Morman, Dale Berkley, Carrie Wallace, Junius Williams, and Mary Shaw as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.