Evelyn Stavely Merritt

Mrs. Evelyn Stavely Merritt, age 93, of Bartow, died Saturday, April 28, 2018 at her residence following an extended illness.  A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Friendship Baptist Church in the old sanctuary. Reverend Tom Harrison will officiate.  The graveside committal service will be private with family members only.  Pallbearers will be Bill Black, Tony Stavely, Louis Stavely, Riley Stavely, Robert Stavely, and Johnny Williams.

Mrs. Merritt was born in Washington County, the daughter of the late Willie Riley Stavely and the late Ethel Lou Copper Stavely.  She, along with her husband Clarence, were longtime residents of East Point where they owned and operated Ditch Witch of Georgia and were members of Connally Drive Baptist Church.  After returning home to Bartow, Mrs. Merritt was a homemaker and member of Friendship Baptist Church.  She is predeceased by her husband, Clarence L. Merritt Jr.

Survivors are her daughters, Joan M. Human of Albany, Joy M. Cotton and her husband Stephen of Millen and Sharon M. McMillen and her husband Charles of Marietta; six grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and her sister, Carolyn Andrews and her husband Jimmie of Tennille.

The family will be at the Merritt residence on Friendship Church Road and they will receive friends on Tuesday morning from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service at the church.

Donations may be made to Methodist Children’s Home, P.O. Box 2525, Macon, Ga. 31203 or The Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC. 28607 or Billy Graham Library, 4330 Westmont Dr. Charlotte, NC. 28217.

May and Smith Funeral Directors of Sandersville is in charge of these arrangements. www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com