Bessie Sue Merrill

Visitation will be one hour before the 2 PM funeral service Wednesday, July 10, 2013 at Avondale United Methodist Church, Birmingham. Pastor Anne Logan will officiate. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery.

Sue was born to Samuel and Bessie Choat in Round Mountain, Alabama on April 2; 1921.She enjoyed a happy and loving childhood, one of 7 brothers and sisters, later attending Phillips High school. Sue married A.P. Merrill in the spring of 1939. A very successful businesswoman, she owned her on business, Southside Poultry Market while raising two sons Larry and Wayne. A renowned cook, Sue wrote her first cookbook “What’s Cooking at the Merrill’s”. She and her granddaughter Natalie later wrote another cookbook, “What’s Cooking at the Merrill’s II”.

Sue always had time for everyone, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren: trips to Six Flags, the Braves games, and train trips to Selma or just fishing from the lake bank but always something. With her Church work, charity work and special things for so many people, she had many friends in Birmingham and more when she and A.P. moved to the lake in Pell City. She baked and sold bread, cakes and pies from her home for years making many happy Thanksgiving and Christmas tables memorable. Her fried chicken and apple pies were incredible. Sue cared about people; she cared about her church, her family, her friends and her care giver Edna Thornton. Sue is a very special angel who will be missed.

Sue was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, a sister Madge Ashley, brothers Hugh, Sam, Jack and Luke Choat.

Survivors include, sister Geneva Williams, sons Larry (Caroline) and Wayne (Susan) Merrill, granddaughter Natalie (Sean) Smith, grandsons Larry Jr. (Laura) Merrill, Donnie (Erin) Merrill, Chad (Monica)Merrill and Cody (Lauren)Merrill. Also surviving Sue are 13 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Sue Merrill to the Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011