Britteny Velazquez Potter

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.... Lao Tzu By that definition, Britteny Potter was the most courageous person to ever live. Britteny cared so much for those around her that she made seeking approval and receiving respect a priority. She would do anything for anyone: Friend or family, but especially her two beautiful girls. Her voice had to be heard, as she typically was the loudest person present and in an argument or a friendly conversation, Britteny would have the last word. Britteny Lynn was brought into this world on the 7th of June, 1986 to proud parents Judy Velazquez and Jose Loera. A fun-loving and outgoing child, Britteny was raised by her mother on the east side of Muskegon, Michigan. Britteny had an older brother, Branden, and eventually a half-brother Jo-Jo and stepsister Stephanie. Britteny and Branden were very close in their youth, bordering on inseparable and had their fair share of adventures. On one such episode, Branden somehow convinced Britteny to go visit Grandma Barb one Saturday morning and with teddy bear in tow, the two walked four blocks in their pajamas to her house on James Street. Britteny attended St. Michaels Elementary prior to the familys move to Twin Lake and transferred to Reeths-Puffer Schools for the duration of her education. The new location brought new adventures for the duo. Britteny could be found on any given day daring her brother to master his fear of heights and catch her as she ascended some of the tallest trees in the forest behind their new home. Each year in Twin Lake brought new friends and an eventual love of tennis and choir (she worked out her pitch problems). As soon as she could legally do so, Britteny applied for and secured a job at Michigans Adventure where she worked games and eventually as a ride operator. Britteny loved the opportunity to earn her own way and eventually decided that High School did not match her desires. She began seeking the answers to her lifes questions, eventually earning her GED and moved in with her Grandmother, Barbara. On the 3rd of October 2004, Britteny was blessed with her first child, Ava-Monique. With her newfound focus on motherhood and her multiple jobs, Britteny somehow found time to fall in love. She met John Potter Jr. in a fateful meeting at his cousins home and promptly courted him. The young lovers decided to move in together and on the 3rd of November 2007 were delighted by the arrival of their daughter Alayna. The following year, on the 28th of April 2008, Britteny and John exchanged marital vows. Britteny adored her two daughters and was the most loving and supportive mother. The Potter family included several dogs and two birds named Oscar and Moses, as Britteny was an animal lover. In addition to caring for her family, Britteny found employment at Gentiva, where she cared for the elderly. Later, she went on to work for Impact Advertising in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was an extremely hard worker and in what time she could spare away from work and her girls she ran a successful business on E-Bay. She had a knack for finding bargains around town or buying bulk items online through her connections overseas and later reselling them for a tidy profit. Following one of their many family outings, Britteny was struck in a horrific car accident. She was pinned to a parked car by an inattentive motorist and suffered lasting nerve damage and permanent disability. The accident severely impaired her mobility, but not her ability to care lovingly for her girls or continue to make a living via her resale business. Britteny and John shared many wonderful moments together, but faced their share of challenges, as well. They separated and would attempt to rekindle the flame on numerous occasions. As a single mother, Brittenys focus remained on raising her daughters properly and ensuring they had healthy doses of their family, especially their cousins. She was a favorite Aunt to all of her nieces (Jade, Elora and Paris) and nephews (Gaebriel and London). Generous, intelligent, and hardworking, Britteny was a loving wife, a devoted mother and a loyal friend. She was loved by all and will be so deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her family and many friends. The most beautiful of human beings, Britteny Lynn Velazquez-Potter was taken from this world far too soon on the 20th of November 2012 at the age of 26. Brittenys family includes her husband, John; her daughters, Ava-Monique Velazquez and Alayna Potter; her mother, Judy Velazquez; her father, Jose (Terri) Loera; non-paternal father, Darin Messenger; her brother Branden (Jocelyn) Velazquez; half brother Jose Loera Jr.; and her stepsister Stephanie Schopieray. Friends are invited to join the family for visitation from 3 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, the 25th of November, at Clock Life Story Funeral Homer Muskegon. A service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, the 26th of November, at the Clock Chapel Muskegon, with Rev. Robert Loera officiating. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family. Please visit Brittenys personal memory page at www.clockfuneralhome.com, where you can learn more about her life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook. .