Stanley Merrill Jr.

Funeral services for Stanley Carroll Merrill, Jr., 79, of Vidalia, LA will be held at Young's Funeral Home in Ferriday on Monday, January 19, 2026 at 2PM with Bro. Corey Bruce and Bro. Larry Wagoner officiating. Interment will follow at Lone Pine Cemetery in Eva, LA, under the direction of Young's Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 12noon until service time at 2PM.

Carroll was born on Wednesday, September 25, 1946 in Natchez, MS and passed away Friday, January 16, 2026 in Ferriday, LA. Carroll was a man who lived his life with pride, grit, and a deep love for family and tradition. He proudly served his country in the United States Army in Panama, an experience that shaped his strong work ethic and unwavering sense of duty. After his service, Carroll followed his passion for mechanics, owning and operating Merrill's Repair Service. Never one to stop learning, he went on to college and earned recognition as a Doctor of Diesel Motors, a title that reflected both his knowledge and dedication to his craft.

Some of Carroll's proudest moments were spent working side by side with his son, Roger-whether in the shop turning wrenches or standing right beside him at mud drag races, cheering him on. A true country man at heart, Carroll embraced the honky-tonk life he loved so much. He enjoyed playing pool and took great pride in teaching his children, especially watching his daughter beat everyone else in the room.

Carroll found joy in life's simple pleasures-riding the levee with friends, looking for deer, sharing laughter, and making memories. Above all else, he loved his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and his friends. Carroll will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him, but his legacy will live on through his family and lives he touched.

He is reunited with his son, Roger Lee Merrill; parents, Stanley and Elsie Merrill; brother, Roger Doyle Merrill; and sister-in-law, Peggy Merrill

Those left to cherish Carroll's memories are his beloved wife of 52 years, Patricia Sones Merrill of Vidalia, LA; daughters, Dina Merrill Haines of Vidalia, LA, Jamie Merrill of Jackson, MS, and Kari Reiss of Houston, TX; son, Franklin Ray Stoddard of Jonesboro, AR; brothers, Randy Merrill of Monterey, LA; Danny Merrill and his wife Connie of Ferriday, LA; grandchildren, Callon, Kinzi, and Josh; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Those honoring Carroll as pallbearers are Callon Haines, Dan Merrill, Joey Merrill, Jason Archer, Jordan Jones, and Christina Loiselle.

Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Parker, Mike Bumgarner, Fred Taylor, Sr., and Willis Case.

To leave an online condolence for the family please visit www.youngsfh.com.