Marvin Archie Merritt, 91, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 4 PM, Thursday, October 19, 2023, at Crossview Baptist Church in Fitzgerald, with the Rev. Dusty Stoey and the Rev. Tommy Land, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Fitzgerald. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Wednesday evening at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Mr. Merritt was born September 2, 1932, in Columbus, Georgia, to the late Archie & Eva Berryhill Merritt. Following high school graduation, he served his country honorably in the United States Air Force, retiring as a TSgt after 20 years of service. He served in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. He worked in construction and supply for many years for Bargain Builders, Colony Builders, Sims Lumber Company, and Standard Supply. He was active in several bowling leagues throughout his military career and later in Fitzgerald and Tifton. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, and sitting on his porch. Mr. Merritt was saved and baptized in 1967 and joined the former Northside Baptist Church, now Crossview Baptist Church, in 1972. He served faithfully as a Deacon, Sunday school teacher, Brotherhood director, and Training Union director. He sang in the choir, performing solos as well as singing in trios and quartets and also played church-league softball. His testimony was that he lived a great and blessed life and loved his family and friends dearly. Mr. Merritt believed in sharing his Faith openly and freely and even witnessed to some of his healthcare providers during his final days.
He is survived by his daughter, Susan Merritt Hobbs & Greg of the Lands Crossing community; two grandchildren: Neysa Hobbs Handley & Brian and Trent Hobbs & Caroline; two great-grandsons: Grayson Merritt Handley and Rhett Monroe Hobbs; and a brother, Larry Merritt & Patsy of Houston, Texas. Several nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Gynell Hall Merritt; and four sisters: Rudine, Colleen, LaQuita, and Martha.