Willie Merritt Jr.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Mr. Willie Merritt Jr., 87, of Blytheville, died Wednesday, July 10, 2013, at the Osceola Nursing Center. Born July 18, 1925, to the late Willie Merritt Sr. and Mattie Judge Merritt, he was a gas attendant and WWII Army veteran.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Ella Smith Merritt; five sisters, Irene Bean, Will Arthur Merritt, Larna Dell Smith, Virgia Emma Merritt and Cora Mae Merritt; and two brothers, Geeolis Merritt and J.C. Merritt.

Mr. Merritt leaves one step-daughter, Deborah Draper of Ohio;

One sister-in-law, Alberta Merrit of Tyler, Texas;

His caregiver, Elaine Riley;

Six nephews, Tommy (and JoAnn) Smith of Dallas, Lonnie (and Lee) Smith, Jacky Robinson, John Robinson and Gregory Robinson, all of Blytheville, and John L. (and Ree) Smith of Port Arthur, Texas;

Special friends, Mary Francis Thomas, Lillie Lucas, Ruby Estell, Rosie Davenport, Birdem Howard, Tea Otis Thomas and William Daniels, all of Blytheville;

Seven nieces, Anna Rogers, Jessie Smith and Rena Piggee, all of Blytheville, Tammie (and Scott) Pannell of Tyler, Texas, Christene (and Willie) Giles and Trina Robinson of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Sherrita Bakley of Alexandria, Va.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Wilson Funeral Home with Dr. David Corns officiating. Burial will follow at the VA Cemetery in Memphis.