Evan "Tank" Merrill

Evan Scottie "Tank" Merrill, 87, of Tifton, surrounded by his loving family, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus at Tift Regional Medical Center on January 8, 2026.
Funeral services will be Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Rawls Baptist Church in Dozier, Alabama with Rev. Doyle Prescott officiating. Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m. Mr. Merrill will be laid to rest at Rawls Baptist Church Cemetery in Dozier, Alabama.
Pallbearers will be Russ Richardson, Jake Richardson, Joel Merrill, Evan Merrill, Nick Taylor, Charles Taylor, and Marcus Merrill.
"Tank" was born in Covington County, Alabama on July 25, 1938, to Joseph and Josie Merrill. He was the youngest of eight siblings and grew up quickly, working from a young age on the family farm. He was known to be the earliest riser when the time came for him to be in charge of milking the cows. He was no stranger to hard work and began picking cotton with his siblings by age 5. No doubt he was challenged to compete with his three older brothers and eager to be among the hardest working. His father proclaimed him to be the only one of them who could outwork him. He mastered the art of training the mule and took pride in being able to gently motivate him to obey commands.
Tank was educated at Rawls School and excelled there, not only academically but athletically. He enjoyed basketball and was known to play entire games since their school was a small one. He kept in regular contact with classmates for many years and treasured friendships made there.
Tank married his loving wife, Ophelia Russell, in March of 1959 and they began their family the following March. Their children are Vivian Richardson (Dan), Steve Merrill (Donna), and Sam Merrill (Robbin). He was a hard-working father who instilled that value in them and taught that "any job worth doing is worth doing right."
Tank had very few hobbies besides yard work while driving his John Deere "Cadillac" because to him work was enjoyable and fulfilling and "tinkering" alongside his family was what he treasured. Many hours were spent repairing, building, and creating and he was a jack-of-all-trades and eager to pass that art on. Ophelia was his most trusted and industrious helper and his love for her was obvious throughout the years. Rarely did he hire work done since he was proficient with almost anything. Both Steve and Sam gleaned from that gift and are handymen, as well.
As both Tank and Ophelia retired, they were able to enjoy traveling before she became ill. Some of their favorite times were in Monte Sano State Park and visiting nearby cousins, Carl and Linda Palmer. Tank was very much a "people person," never meeting a stranger and thoroughly enjoyed any gathering, especially family reunions. After retiring from his pecan growing, he was happy chatting on the phone and that extended well into his last years. His phone directory accompanied him on every trip, and he loved to schedule a meal with friends and family any and everywhere he went.
After moving with Ophelia to Tifton in 2017, Tank made many close friends, and breakfast was always eaten out to fellowship with them. He was quite adept at store-telling, most from memories of the past. Entertainment was his forte and delight. His knowledge of pecan growing and mechanics was happily shared with anyone interested. Tank was especially grateful for new and old friends who shared meals in Tifton and Andalusia these last several years which brought much joy and comfort after her death in 2021.
Tank was a member of the First Baptist Church in Tifton, where he was a member of the JJM Sunday School Class and the First Baptist Senior Adults. He enjoyed having breakfast with his friends as part of the Hardees Breakfast Club and the Hog N Bones Breakfast Crew.
Tank was proud of his family. He leaves behind nine grandchildren. They are Brooke Rash (Jason), Russ Richardson (Katie), Jennifer Grayson (Ricky), Ashley Robertson (Trey), Jake Richardson (Susan), Joel Merrill (Mary Elizabeth), Sarah Dickson (Corbin), Lia Taylor (Nick), and Evan Merrill (Shelby) and from them came twenty great-grandchildren. He also had many nieces and nephews of whom he was quite fond.
Memorials may be made to Rawls Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Ronnie Taylor, 33174 Turkey Creek Road, Red Level, Alabama 36474. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Evan, please visit our floral store.