RENEE' SNELL MERRITT

Renee´ Snell Merritt Mrs. Renee´ Snell Merritt of Dothan passed away on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at her home under the care of Covenant Hospice. She was 51. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, 2009 at Bay Springs Baptist Church with Rev. Scott Wyatt and Rev. Coley Holloway officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Byrd Funeral Home on West Main Street directing. Mrs. Merritt will be placed in the church one hour prior to service time on Friday. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 1101 N. Chase Parkway, Marietta, GA 30067. Mrs. Merritt was born on January 21, 1958 in Dothan and lived most of her life here. She earned her master's degree at Troy State University. She was a teacher for 28 years and taught at Wicksburg School for 22 years. She was an active member of the AEA, Alabama Aerospace Tea-cher's Association and Classroom Teacher's Association. In 2004, she was named "Science Teacher of the Year". Mrs. Merritt was a member of Bay Springs Baptist Church. Renee´ was preceded in death by her father, Louie Frank Snell, and a brother, Frankie Snell. She is survived by her husband, Wayne Merritt; a daughter, Taylor Merritt and her mother, Bernice Snell, all of Wicksburg; a brother, Dr. Derry Snell and his wife, Sandy of Montgomery; three step-children, Ginger, Laurie, and Brandon; her mother-in-law, Annette Merritt of Ashford; brothers-in-law, Raymond Merritt and his wife, Carol, Philip Merritt and his wife, Deloris, all of Ashford, and Charles Merritt of Orlando, Florida; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews also survive. Serving as active pall-bearers will be Hulland Carpenter, Tommy Alley, Keith Bowen, Stephen Hutto, Steve Collins and Burt Woodham. Byrd Funeral Home on West Main Street, (334) 793-3003, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be offered at www.byrdfuneralhome.com. Sign the guest book at www.dothaneagle.com