Mr. Paul Daniel Merritt Senior

Paul Daniel Merritt, Senior was the second of six children born to the late Rebecca Hill Merritt and James Moses Merritt on September 21, 1933 in Coleman, Georgia. He departed this life into eternal rest on Sunday, September 23, 2018. Preceding him in death was his son Nathan Randall Merritt; sisters Daisy Merritt Fields and Sarah Lee Merritt Vaughn; and his brother James Jonathan Merritt. Paul and his five siblings lost their mother prior to 9 years of age and were raised by their devoted Aunt Sarah Hill Webb Morgan in the absence of their father who was a merchant marine. Paul accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at Virgil Chapel AME Church in Coleman, Georgia which is also where he received his education.

On January 17, 1955 Paul enlisted in the United States Army during the time of the 1955 Louisiana maneuvers, known as EXERCISE SAGE BRUSH, which was designed to test simulated combat conditions in an atomic war ran from 31 October 1955 until 15 December 1955, longer than most army training maneuvers. Its mission was to train the various units in "atomic attacks" for both the US Army and the Aggressor Forces. The maneuvers began with a simulated atomic bomb set off at Fort Polk; we salute and thank those veterans for their service.

Paul was married to Lottie Lee Vaughn Merritt for 27 years during which time seven children were born. He relocated his family from Georgia to Virginia in 1961 where they built the family home in Williamsburg, where he lived and worked for many years. While Paul was known for his expertise in bricklaying throughout neighboring communities and various contractors, he taught his sons how to be avid fishermen, hunters, and gardeners as he provided for his family.

He leaves to cherish his memory his children, Deborah (husband Mike Ham) of Newport News, Virginia, Deacon Paul Daniel (wife Deaconess Cheryl Moses Merritt) of Gloucester, Virginia, Reverend Jane Marie Rolle (husband Deacon Maxwell Rolle) of Nassau, Bahamas, Carolynne Virginia Merritt of Williamsburg, Virginia, Jerome Moses Merritt (Porsha Merritt) of Atlanta, Georgia, and Gloria Merritt (husband Michael Robertson) of Williamsburg, Virginia. Paul leaves his seven grand-children, Ivory Merritt, Lauren Merritt, David Allen Merritt, Raniece Copp, Brandon Merritt, Michaela Merritt, and Isaiah Merritt; six great-grandchildren, Jeremiah, Cameron, Alaysia, Josiah, Joshua, David Jr., and Zayden; a brother, Elder Benjamin Merritt (Evangelist Audrey Merritt) of Jersey City, New Jersey; and Sister, Ruth Merritt Laws of Sicklerville, New Jersey; nieces and nephews Rebecca Peters (Charles) of Newark, New Jersey, Ronald, Donna, Patty and Theresa and Mrs. Janice Watkins (John), Angela Russell, Benjamin Jr., Mrs. Crystal Chang (George), Reginald Merritt (Dee) and family; and a host of other cousins, additional relatives, friends and acquaintances.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00am Thursday, October 4, 2018 at Nelsen Funeral Home & Crematory, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg, Virginia 23188. The service will be followed by official Interment to include military honors at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Road Suffolk, Virginia 23434 at 2:00pm. Memorial visitation at the funeral home and online condolences and expressions of love may be shared with the family at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com.