Rev. Robert E. Merritt, Sr.

He was born on January 29, 1932 to the late William Harvey Merritt and Ola Virginia Merritt. He was preceded in death by two brothers William Cooper Merritt and George Andrew Merritt and wife Helen and one sister Mollie Tajeda.

Survivors include his wife Vera Merritt and one son Robert Edward Merritt, Jr., and daughter Patricia Evans and her husband Dan, two grandchildren Robert Christopher Merritt and Melissa Rene Fortner and four great grand children, Brittany, Tyler Christopher and Chase Merritt, two sister Dolores Eure and Joan Faye Josue and a brother Richard Harvey Merritt, two step sons Lloyd Lee Taylor, Jr., and Lawrence C. Taylor and wife Darlene, two step grandchildren, Corinne Holland and Evan Taylor and many nieces and nephews.

Rev. Merritt took an apprenticeship as a sheet metal mechanic and worked in that field for fifty years. He attended St. Leo College and Paul D. Camp College and became an ordained minister in the U.C.C. Church and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1981.

Rev. Merritt was a member of Chalice Christian Church which is a merger of First Christian Church, D.O.C. and Diamond Springs Christian Church, D.O.C.

He was a former pastor of Little Creek Christian Church, Norfolk, VA, Damascus Christian Church and Oak Grove Church in Sunbury, NC. He and his wife were active campers for years most recently with Elizabeth River Good Sams. Bob enjoyed gospel and bluegrass music and playing bass guitar.

The family will receive friends on Monday, September 17, 2012 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Smith & Williams Funeral Home, Norview Chapel where a celebration of Rev. Merritt’s life will be held on Tuesday, September 18, 2012, 11:00 a.m. by The Rev. Jack Anglin officiating followed by a reception in the funeral home. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. in Rosewood Memorial Park. Memorial donations may be made to Chalice Christian Church or a charity of your choice. Friends may offer condolences at www.smithandwilliamsnorfolk.com.

Dad we miss you and love you very much!