Louie "Lou" Smyth Merricks Jr.

He was born on April 13. 1927 in Bluefield, WV, son of the late Louie S. and Cora M. Merricks. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Bobby Merricks as well as 3 sisters, Lucille Hendrix, Edith Kinlaw, and Frances Wright.

Lou was of the Baptist Faith and served his country in the Navy during WW II. He retired from B&W NNFD after 34 years, had volunteered for Habitat for Humanity for over 20 years and enjoyed woodworking.

In addition to his wife Carol to whom he had been married for 46 years, he is survived by 2 daughters, Loretta Merricks and Vicky Cheatham; a sister, Jean Anneski; a sister in law, Betty Merricks; 3 grandchildren, Kristina Cheatham, Taylor Cheatham, and James Harper; 1 great granddaughter, Sarah Harper as well as a special niece, Pat Briggs.

The family will receive friends from 4-6 on Sunday, December 22, 2019 at Whitten Timberlake Chapel where a funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Monday, December 23, 2019 with Pastor Timothy Wilde officiating. Burial will follow at Virginia Memorial Park with military honors being rendered by Lynchburg American Legion Post #16.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Drive, Memphis, TN 38105 or Red Truck Food Ministry, 5225 Fort Ave, Ste A, Lynchburg, VA 24502.