W R Merritt

BERLIN W.R. "Ray" Merritt, 77, of Berlin died Friday, June 14, 2013, at Heritage Healthcare at Sunrise. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Sardis Church Cemetery with the Rev. James Sellers and the Rev. Eddie Dee officiating. Casketbearers will be Chris Merritt, Keith Merritt, Richard Merritt, Ronnie Merritt, Rodney Merritt, Kyle Merritt, Scott Merritt and Jeremy Merritt. Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Baker Funeral Home. Mr. Merritt was born on August 23, 1935 in Berlin to C.C. Merritt and Mary Cooper Merritt, both deceased. He had worked for Pest Control with Smith, Richter and Astro and also with Julian Bowles. He was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Merritt, and his second wife, Geraldine Wetherington Merritt. Mr. Merritt is survived by three sons, Marty Merritt and wife Beth of Tifton, Kirk Merritt and wife Candi of Norman Park and C.J. Merritt and wife Rhonda of Moultrie; a daughter, Beverly Merritt of Valdosta; two stepdaughters, Teresa Gay and husband David of Barney and Delesa Wetherington of Leesburg; his first wife, Ruby Dell Merritt of Moultrie; four brothers, Bobby Merritt and wife Judy of Moultrie, Hubert Merritt and wife Donna of Berlin, Jackie Merritt and wife Jeanie of Moultrie and Reggie Merritt and wife Sharon of Berlin; a sister, Faye Riggins of Moultrie; six grandchildren, Sarah Beth Merritt, Hollye Merritt, Bailey Merritt, Darby Merritt, Gracie Merritt and Andrew Parker; and several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.