David Prattis Brewington's Obituary
David Prattis Brewington passed away on October 7, 2018 at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home- Assisted Living in Charlotte Hall, MD
Son of the late and loving parents, Mazie F. and David M. Brewington, Prattis was born on May 25, 1925 in Federalsburg, MD, of which he was a life-long resident until moving to Charlotte Hall in 2013. After receiving his education in Caroline County Public Schools, he briefly worked at Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Company before entering the United States Army in 1944 during World War II. As a member of the 3716 Quartermaster Truck Company in the 2nd Army, Prattis drove supplies and gasoline to the front lines via tractor trailers and tankers. He served in New Guinea, the Philippines, and Japan.
After receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1946, at the rank of Corporal, Prattis returned to Federalsburg, MD and became a long-distance truck driver for Service Trucking Co., where he worked for 22 years. During this time, he was elected as Shop Stewart by his fellow Teamster Union members, the first Black to hold the position. Upon the demise of Service Trucking Co., he founded a small business as an owner-operator of dump trucks in Landover, MD. After retiring from trucking, he started a second career for U-Star and Delmarva Community Transit in Easton, MD as a van-driver for senior citizens and the disabled. He celebrated his second retirement at the age of 82.
Prattis was very active in social and service organizations throughout his life, serving in the Masons, the Fifth Wheel Club, and most notably as an active and avid member of Blake-Blackston American Legion Post 77 in Easton, MD for 53 continuous years. There, he served as Commander, 1st Vice Commander, Chaplain, and volunteer Bartender. During his leadership, the Post began supporting and continues to support many community charities, because of a state law which allowed a limited number of slot machines in service clubs, veterans’ organizations, and fraternal organizations across the Eastern Shore, as a means to enhance their fundraising efforts. Post 77 took advantage of this opportunity and as a result, has donated thousands of dollars to charities and scholarships across the community. One of his proudest achievements was recommending his grandson, Glenn Richeson, to the Sons of American Legion (SAL) for a sponsorship to Boy’s State, in support of his application to attend the United States Naval Academy. He had signed Glenn up as a SAL member, as a baby. He was the happiest man in the world when Glenn, as a Naval Officer, was later invited to speak to the youth of SAL. He would also tell anyone who would listen at Charlotte Hall that “My grandson is a Lt. Commander in the Navy!”.
On October 9, 2010, Prattis was awarded the 2010 Veteran’s Award by the NAACP- Talbot County Branch at the Freedom Fund Banquet in Easton, MD. Former Maryland Congressman Frank Kravotil, Jr. commemorated this accomplishment with a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, which is memorialized in the 111th Congressional Record (2009-2010). Congressman Kravotil stated, “Mr. Brewington exemplifies the drive and commitment our World War II veterans have exhibited in serving this great country. I commend my constituent, David Prattis Brewington, on his many years of service and on his achievement of being named the recipient of 2010 Veteran’s Award by the NAACP-Talbot County Branch”.
Prattis was also member, for many years, at Zion Methodist Church, Federalsburg, MD, where he served as President of the Methodist Men, which held legendary Sunday fundraising breakfasts.
For his 90th Birthday, in 2015, which was celebrated with a large party, Prattis received congratulatory letters signed by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, Congressman Steny Hoyer, as well as a commemoration from Blake-Blackston American Legion Post 77.
In 2016, he debuted as an actor when he was asked to be the face of Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in an Infomercial and Brochure, to advertise their services. The Infomercial is still being shown on cable TV in Southern Maryland, and can be viewed on the Charlotte Hall Veteran’s Home website, http://www.charhall.org/content/media/ under News; Media. Often, strangers would say to him, “Hey, aren’t you the guy I saw on TV?”.
Prattis was his Mother’s maiden name. He was also called Bud, Ole Dad, and Dave during his 93 years of a wonderful life. Prattis met Mary, his wife of 61 years, and the love of his life, when she came to Federalsburg to teach school in 1951 after graduating from Bowie State Teachers College, Bowie, MD. They traveled the world, as a couple, and with family and friends. In their younger years, they frequented many clubs, dances, and shows in NYC, Philly, Baltimore, DC, Sparrow’s Point, and Carr’s Beach, featuring such greats as Jackie Wilson, Dinah Washington, Frank Sinatra, and Etta James. Prattis worked hard and was always sharp as a tack, mentally and physically. He was an outstanding dresser who loved clothes, to the point that he had to add a closet addition onto his house. He even wore ascots back in the day. He was fiercely loyal and was ALWAYS on time, expecting the same of everyone else. He said what he meant and meant what he said. He believed in following the rules. Prattis felt blessed with a good life. He had no regrets. He was truly a renaissance man and lived life “his” way.
Mary preceded Prattis in death in 2013. His youngest daughter, Edna Prattisann Brewington Smith (Marcus), whom he affectionately referred to as “Sweetie”, preceded him in death in 2017. Sister, Virgie Ricketts, and grandchildren, Troy Patterson and Lisa Patterson also preceded him in death.
Prattis is survived by devoted daughter Darlene (Pat) Richeson and her husband, Bruce Johns, Woodbine, MD; daughter Mary Ellen Patterson, Dover, DE; grandson, Glenn D. Richeson, his wife Erin and sons, Austin & Aiden, Smyrna, GA; grandsons, Torrence L. Richeson, Silver Spring, MD; Marcus A. Smith, Jr., Upper Marlboro, MD; Tony Patterson (Anna), Dover, DE; and Bryan Patterson, Dover, DE; granddaughters, Tracy Doman, and Rochelle Macklin (Delton), Dover, DE; special great-granddaughter, Reverend Natasha Patterson, Atlanta, GA; niece, Francis Jolly, Federalsburg, MD, a host of great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and other family and friends.
He is also survived by several devoted cousins, Aletha (Leath) Cannon, Menthal (Tense) Bowden, and Beverly Frazier, who kept him occupied with phone calls, cards, laughs, and visits; and Audra (Dink)Thompson, who was always at the ready with frequent visits, ice cream outings, and home-made cheesecake with fresh strawberries, which he loved.
For those who would like an alternative to flowers, we ask that you consider a contribution, in Prattis Brewington’s name, to Blake-Blackston American Legion Post #77’s $900,000 “Building to Serve” Capital Campaign project. Their goal is to renovate the 60-year-old Post in Easton, MD. He would love nothing more than to see Post #77 live on, serving the community and veterans for generations to come.
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