Grace Coleman Merritt

Mrs. Grace Coleman Merritt, age 99, of 3704 Dupuy Road, Ettrick, Va. went home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 at the Southside Regional Medical Center. She was born December 3, 1903 in Chesterfield County to the late Thomas and Louvenia Coleman. Her aunt and uncle were her guardians, the late Alexander Z. and Mittie Coleman King. She was the widow of Arthur L. Merritt Jr., and was predeceased by a daughter, Evelyn Louise Merritt, and a son, William B. Merritt "Punkin", and two grandchildren, Gloria Dean Berry and Michael Merritt. At an early age she confessed Christ and was a life long member of the Oak Street African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Mrs. Merritt served faithfully at her church until her health declined, but never neglected her obligations to the church or lessened her unwavering faith and witness for her God. She found joy serving on the Ladies Usher Board, was an ordained Deaconess and a member of the Adult Bible Class. She was a Life Matron of the Woman's Home and Overseas Missionary Society. Mrs. Merritt held membership in the Rosetta Tent No. 433, and was a Past Matron of the Eastern Star, Petersburg Chapter 33, and a member of the Heroines of Jericho. She loved and served her Ettrick community as well. In 1984 she was inducted into the Chesterfield County Senior Citizens Hall of Fame for her outstanding volunteer community service. In 2001, the Petersburg Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta recognized Mrs. Merritt as one of their Community Pearls. Mrs. Merritt was educated at the John A. Dixon School at the Dinwiddie Normal Institute and in the Petersburg Public School system. She was a retiree of Central State Hospital. This precious jewel is survived by three sons, Arthur Lee Merritt III, of Victoria, Va.; Eugene M. Merritt of Baltimore, Md. and Winston L. Merritt of Ft. Washington, Md.; four daughters, Ercelle C. Berry of Harrisburg, Pa.; Maxcine Jackson (Melvin) of Ettrick, Va., Grace M. Berry, Suitland, Md. and Jean Dorsey of Passaic, N.J. There are 27 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren; a niece, Deborah Coleman of New York City; and two great nieces, Gloria Whack of North Carolina and Grace Adams of New York City; and a number of other relatives and devoted friends. Funeral services will be held at the Oak Street A.M. E. Zion Church, 25 W. Wythe St., Petersburg at 11 a.m. Monday, March 17, 2003, with the Rev. T. Kenneth Venable officiating. Burial will be at the Family Cemetery at Shiloh Baptist Church, Hickory Road, Chesterfield County. The family is receiving friends at the residence and will assemble there one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Special Projects Fund of Oak Street Church in memory of Mrs. Merritt. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the James M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, (804) 732-8911, jmwilkersonsince1874.com.