SFC Earl Merritt

SFC Earl Merritt, age 76, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Wednesday May 1, 2019 in Savannah, Georgia. Mr. Merritt was born on October 29, 1942 in Broxton, GA the son of the late Elmer Merritt Sr and Gussie Peterson Merritt.

He worked as a truck driver with Gold Kist and was a retired Sergeant First Class in the United States Army serving during the Vietnam Conflict.

Mr. Merritt was preceded in death by two sisters, Maggie Crutchfield and Florene Watson and two great grandchildren, Hiliegh Rose Trowell and Aiden Walker Trowell.

Survivors include his wife, Lera Deen Merritt of Douglas, GA; two daughters, Maggie Bennett and husband Andrew of Douglas, GA and Chrystal Tyson and husband David of Warrick, RI; seven grandchildren, Alexis Trowell, Lainey McQuaig, Lakin Trowell, Braidyn Bennett, Colt Taylor, Sarah Jean Tyson and Christina Marie Tyson; sister, Faye Canta and husband Al of Garland, TX; two brothers, Marshall Merritt and Elmer Merritt; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be held 2:00pm Sunday May 5, 2019 at Sims Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mary Ann Braswell officiating. Interment with full military honors given by Ft. Stewart Honor Guard will follow at Satilla Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6pm until 9pm at Sims Funeral Home. Gentlemen honored as pallbearers are Andrew Bennett, David Tyson, Colt Taylor, Johnnie Earl Ellis, Alexis Trowell and Kobe Whittle. Musical selections will be “Just One Rose Will Do”, “Go Rest High on that Mountain” and “You Raise Me Up” all by CD.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.simsfuneralhome.com.

Sims Funeral Home, Douglas, GA is in charge of arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of SFC Earl Merritt, please visit our floral store.