Funeral services for Bro. Gus Merritt will be held at 1 P.M. , on Friday, July 20, 2012 at Newton County Funeral Home, North Chapel with Dr. Brian Rushing officiating.
Burial will be in Ellistown Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 5 P.M. - 7 P.M. at the funeral home on Thursday.
Newton County Funeral Home - North Chapel, 9998 Hwy 15 North, Newton, is in charge of arrangements 601-635-3200.
Bro. Merritt, 79 of Newton, MS, died Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at Bedford Care Center in Marion. He was a native of Columbia, MS. He was a graduate of Central High School in Jackson, and Mississippi College where he was named Alumnus of the Year. He also attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as a Baptist Pastor for over 42 years. He served as the long time pastor of Clarke-Venable Baptist Church in Decatur, where he retired in 1994. During his retirement years, he served several local churches as Interim Pastor. He served as a Trustee for Lifeway and as recording secretery for the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, and continued to support his country through his involvement in the American Legion. Prior to his enlistment in the Army, he was a member of the ROTC. He was involved in Project Recovery - Post Katrina, and served his community as long as his health permitted. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Survivors include one son: Victor (Sarah) Merritt of Olive Branch; one daughter: Paula Faye Merritt of Chunky; two grandchildren: Nick (Kristen) Merritt and Rachel Merritt, both of Olive Branch; one sister: Norma Temple of Pearl; and a number of nieces and nephews
He was preceded in death by: his wife: Faye Purvis Merritt; his parents: K.C. & Elizabeth King Merritt and his sister: Carol Morgan.
Friends will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 or to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 297, Newton, MS 39345.
