Philip Thompson Merrifield

Philip Thompson Merrifield born January 27, 1933 joined his Heavenly Father on Sunday, September 7, 2014, after an extended illness, at the VA Medical Center. He was an active member of Morningside Baptist church under the leadership of Dr. James P. Wesberry and served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons, Sunday School Teacher, and Training Union Leader, and was a member of the Lord’s Day Alliance. In later years he attended Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church. Philip graduated from Henry Grady High School, served in the United States Navy, and attended Georgia State University. He was employed by Tenneco Packing Corporation until his retirement.

A life sculpted by love and happiness. A man drawn from dedication, compassion, and joy. A loyal and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Philip Merrifield illuminated the days of everyone he met on his journey with laughter and a passion for life and how to live it.

A protective leader and teacher, he was always the smartest person in the room, who never made you feel like you weren’t. He constructed a home based on a foundation of Christian faith, and defended the strength and hope that were found there.

Every life is weathered by challenges, but after skies turned dark, he was our rainbow. When problems sounded thunderous, he was our melody.

He looked at all of us with adoration, wonder, and great pride as he sustained us all of his life, and for all of ours.

His heart always worked too hard, and now it is time for it to rest. He gave us everything he had, and everything we needed. Now he continues on his journey, and we will see him when we get there.

He is preceded in death by his daughters, Laura Thomas and Lisa Riley, mother Phyllis T. Handley, grandmother Grace Thompson, mother and father-in-law, Jack and Amy Kinney, sisters-in-law Ruth Kinney, Elaine Matthews and Joyce Floyd, brothers-in-law Jack Kinney and Benton Kinney.

He is survived by his wife LaValle Kinney Merrifield, daughter Linda Brannon (Larry) , son Christopher Merrifield (Patty), sisters and brothers-in-law Mary and Arthur Hay, Peggy and Chuck Webb, Jerry Kinney, and a special sister-in-law Anne Morecock, grandchildren Patrick Brannon (Karen), Paige Brannon, Maggie Merrifield, Philip Alexander Thomas, Jeffrey Michael Thomas, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service will be Thursday, September 11, 2014 at 11 o’clock at H.M. Patterson & Son with Dr. David Sapp officiating. Interment to follow at Westview Cemetery with full military honors. The family will receive friends Wednesday, September 10, 2014 from 6 until 8 o’clock at Patterson’s Spring Hill.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the caring staff of Doctors, Nurses, Therapist and all of the others who attended to him at the VA Medical Center.