Shirley Floyce Shealey Merritt, 91, of Irwin County, Georgia, died Thursday, May 28, 2026, at her daughter’s residence.
Funeral services will be held at 5 PM, Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Old Valley Grove Primitive Baptist Church in Irwin County, with Elder Jim Sandlin officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will greet friends in the church sanctuary from 4 PM until the funeral hour.
Mrs. Merritt was born November 11, 1934, in Ocilla, Georgia, to the late Harold Wesley & Ethel Virgina Sumner Shealey. She was a graduate of Irwin County High School and worked as the secretary for Weaver Milling Company in Ocilla for 40 plus years. She loved flowers and spent many years tending to her garden before her health prevented her from doing so. She also enjoyed watching game shows such as Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, working cross word puzzles, Yahtzee and listening to country music. Mrs. Merritt loved her church and church family, she was a member of Old Valley Grove Primitive Baptist Church.
She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Walker; her beloved favorite nephew, Kenji Shealey & Alisha; great nephews: Benjamin, Zachary and Nathan; a sister-in-law, Betty Merritt; a special sister, Michiko Dewitt; several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, W.L. Merritt, a brother, W.L. Shealey; a son-in-law, Bobby Walker and her sister-in-law: Joyce Paulk & Gerald and two brothers-in-law: William Merritt and Arnold Merritt & Bonnie.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests those desiring to send memorials, please make donations to Old Valley Grove Primitive Baptist Church, c/o Chuck Tyson, 2154 Ferry Lake Road, Tifton, Georgia, 31794.
Paulk Funeral Home, Ocilla, is in charge of arrangements.