Manuel Franklin Merritt

Mr. Manuel Franklin Merritt, 95, of Matthews, North Carolina went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, December 29, 2015 surrounded by family. Mr. Merritt was preceded in death by his former wives Yvonne Foreman Merritt and Dorothy Mae Oaks Merritt and sister Evelyn, and brothers Paul and Billy. He is survived by three children of his first wife, Yvonne, Peggy M. Mattox of Pawleys Island, SC, Bobby J. Merritt and Wife Carolyn of Charlotte, NC and Judy Turner and husband Ken of Rock Hill, SC and one step-son from his second wife, Dorothy, Wayne Oaks. He is also survived by grandchildren David, Mark, and Jonathan Mattox, Darren Merritt, Brandie Summey, Shane Somerset and Tony Purser as well as great grandchildren Meredith, Morgan, Sevilla, Sullivan, Harlow, Peyton, and Drake and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Merritt is survived also by a sister Myrleen Cates Page of Albemarle, NC and brother Jimmy Merritt and wife Norrie of Cincinatti, OH. Before retiring he owned Merritt Tomato Company and supplied tomatoes to local grocery stores and restaurants as well as owning B&B Grocery Store on Central Avenue. Mr. and Mrs. Merritt enjoyed traveling in their RV seeing the country. He was a member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church. Special thanks to Manuel's friend Carl Metheny who was so faithful to visit and help him through the years and they enjoyed many dinners together, Gene and Lillian Bradford who spoiled him with their delicious home cooked meals and special cakes on his birthday as well as Clarence and Dottie Redman where Clarence kept his lawn mowers, motor home, automobiles, and gutters in perfect working condition. "Always knew that Carl and Clarence could help him in a time of need." Special recognition to Reverend Arnold Kessler for his faithfulness in seeing Mr. Merritt during many hospital and rehab stays and the often visits in his home. The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 31, 2015 at Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home, 4715 Margaret Wallace Road, Matthews, NC at 1PM with the service in the funeral home chapel at 2PM. Burial will follow at Sharon Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Billy Graham Evangelic Association, 4350 Westmont Drive, Charlotte, NC 28217 or Hospice and Community Care, PO Box 993 Rock Hill, SC 29731. Please visit www.LoweNeddoFuneralHome.com to share pictures and memories.

Manuel Franklin Merritt

April 25, 1920 - December 29, 2015