Ray Merritt

Mr. Franklin Ray Merritt passed away on Thursday, November 16, after an extended illness. He
was born on December 16, 1933, in Cedartown, Ga., where he lived his entire life.

He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley Ann Orebaugh Merritt; his parents, Chester A. and Mae Logan Merritt; his sister Madelyn Owens; and his brothers Omer, Don, Roy, and Joe Merritt

He is survived by his son and daughter in law Mark and Marie Merritt, and one special
granddaughter Ann Marie.

Mr. Merritt's life was one of service to his community. He became a firefighter with the
Cedartown Fire Department where he served until joining the Cedartown Police Department.
He will be remembered as the police department's first Motorcycle officer. He next became an agent of the State Fire Marshall's office where he served until his retirement in 1987. Mr. Merritt also served as a City Commissioner for several terms and served as Commission President. He was also a member of the Georgia State Peace Officers Association and the Lions Club.

He was a member of Kresge United Methodist Church and also attended First Baptist.

Funeral services for Mr. Merritt will be conducted in the chapel of Smith & Miller Funeral Home on Sunday, November 19, at 3:00 PM with Mr. Mike McRae, Mr. Steve Miller and Mr. Norman Smith officiating. Interment will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will include: Shay Moody, Bobby Brooks, Darrell (Scooter) Stephens, Jr, Lee Brown, Jeff Dingler and Van Dingler. Honorary pallbearers will include: Darrell Stephens, Sr., George Knight, Raymond Coley, Earle Ellis, Hoke Smith and current and former City of Cedartown employees.

The family will receive friends on Sunday from 12:00 noon until the funeral hour at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Homestead Hospice, 1 North Tennessee Street Cartersville, GA 30120 in memory of Mr. Merritt.

The Smith & Miller Funeral Home of Cedartown is honored to serve the family of Mr. Ray Merritt.