Joe White Merriman

76 year old Joe White Merriman of Smithville died Saturday at NHC Healthcare Center. He was affiliated with the Freewill Baptist Church. Merriman was also a retired farmer and nurseryman and he enjoyed coaching softball before his stroke on March 31, 1983. The funeral will be Monday at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Dillard Johnson and Frank Bratcher will officiate and burial will be in the Banks Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Monday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m. Merriman was preceded in death by his parents, Dallas and Annie Underhill Merriman; seven brothers, Lillard, Hervie, J.E., Tom, Oliver, Jack, and Bill Merriman; and five sisters, Lillie and Gracie Murphy, Louise and Lee Bratcher, and Parlie Merriman. Survivors include four sons, Ronald and wife Denise Merriman, Marty and wife Peggy Merriman, Glynn and wife Rhonda Merriman, and Roy and wife Lisa Merriman all of Smithville. Two daughters, Crystal and husband Clayton Moore and Sandy and husband Hugh Willingham all of Smithville. Grandchildren, Kelly, Lorrie, Joseph, Corey, Meagan, Mason, Micah, Kayla, and Kelsie Merriman, Kasen and Lydia Johnson, Hunter Moore, Martin and Delia Willingham. A great grandson, Presley Merriman. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.