Shirley Susie Merritt

Mrs. Shirley 'Susie'? Merritt, 68, 1112 Remington Road, Knoxville, passed away Sunday, October 4, 2009 in the Baptist West Hospital. Mrs. Merritt was a native of Johnson County, Tennessee and had lived most of her life in Johnson City and Knoxville. She is the daughter of Henry and Hazel Norris Triplett. She is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Vance and Jane Norris; maternal grandmother, Rebecca Triplett. Mrs. Merritt was a retired church secretary and a member of the Roan Hill Baptist Church. Survivors other than her parents include, her husband of forty-five years Roy C. Merritt of the home; two daughters, Dawn Merritt of Greeneville, Tennessee and Kristie Rutherford and her husband Sonny of Rutledge, Tennessee; one brother, Jerry Triplett of Knoxville; one sister, Beth Bradford and her husband Wayne of Knoxville; five grandchildren, Nikki Barr and husband Jamie of Knoxville, Michael Cartwright of Jonesborough, Chase Rutherford, Roger Rutherford, and Hunter Rutherford all of Rutledge, TN; two great grandchildren, Mackenzie Barr and Gage Barr, both of Knoxville; an uncle, Charles 'Pete' Norris; several nieces and nephews also survive. The funeral service for Mrs. Susie Merritt will be conducted at 8 PM Thursday, October 8, 2009 in the Morris-Baker South Chapel. Rev. Claude Babb will officiate. The graveside committal service will be conducted at 10 AM Friday in the Monte Vista Memorial Park. Everyone will meet at Morris-Baker at 9:30 AM Friday to go to the cemetery in procession. Active pallbearers will be Eddie Donaldson, Marvin Merritt, Josh Owen, Sonny Rutherford, Jamie Barr, and David Putney. The family will receive friends at Morris-Baker from 6 to 8 PM Thursday prior to the service. The family request that memorial contributions be sent to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1131, Fairfax, VA 22039 or to the National Kidney Foundation of East Tennessee, Blountville, TN 37617.