Louis Seborn "Bud" Merritt

Louis Merritt Obituary

Mr. Louis "Bud" Seborn Merritt, 79, died suddenly Friday, May 13, 2005, at Forsyth Medical Center. Mr. Merritt was born April 30, 1926, in Forsyth County to the late Ralph Jackson and Virginia Elsie Sullivan Merritt. He was retired from R.J. Reynolds with 39 years of service and loved working with the Carolina Opera of Myrtle Beach. Mr. Merritt was preceded in death by an infant son and a brother-in-law, Hassell Miller. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ann "Betty" New Merritt of the home; a foster son, David Pierce, and wife April of Oxford, Miss.; three foster grandchildren; two foster great-grandchildren; a sister, Kathleen Miller; two nieces, Karen Jackson and husband Dennis of Winston-Salem and Debbie Morton and husband Scott of Walnut Cove; a great-niece, Crystal Cabrera of Walnut Cove; a great-nephew, Dr. Scott Vogler and wife Nikki of King; three great- great-nieces; eight great-nieces and nephews; a sister-in-law, Sandra Sellers, and husband Billy of Winston-Salem; a brother-in-law, Ron New, and wife Pilar of Dallas; a niece, Kathy Nash and husband Ray of Mooresville; and a nephew, David Sellers and wife Sheila of Lexington. An 11:00 a.m. graveside service will be conducted Monday, May 16, at Hickory Ridge United Methodist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Tony Griffin officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. today, May 15, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Hickory Ridge United Methodist Church, 6012 Germanton Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27105; American Heart Association, 202 CentrePort Drive, Suite 100, Greensboro, NC 27409; or to the charity of the donor's choice.

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Published by Winston-Salem Journal on May 15, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Louis Merritt

9 Entries

Sandi Watson

May 16, 2005

I have wonderful memories of Louis. He was always so nice and helpful to me during the years that I worked for Calvin Gilmore Productions. He and Ann always had a kind word (or she made a delicious cake for us to enjoy backstage)and he loved the Opry. I know the cast will miss him and though I haven't been back to Myrtle Beach for some time, I have such wonderful memories of those days and the enthusiasm that Mr. "Hey-Hey" brought to every production. My love and sympathy goes to Ann and the family. God bless you. Love, Sandi

Kim Perry Williams

May 16, 2005

I'm not sure what the Carolina Opry will be without Mr. Hey Hey on the front row. He certainly loved the show and the performers and was a true character in every sense of the word. It was, and is, his caliber of "fan" that makes The Carolina Opry what it is today. Our prayers are with Ann and the whole Merritt family.

Kim and Jimmy Williams

Kym and Cody Shurbutt

May 16, 2005

When we "the Carolina Opry" opened. Louis and Ann merritt were there every night( as paying customers)Not long after, they were givin a lifetime free pass whenever they wanted to come. Bud made each and everyone of us feel special. He would grasp your hand with both of his and tell you how much you meant to them and how much he loved you. And this is the way he was throughout the 20 years I have known him. I consider him and always will as Bud Merritt, The Carolina Oprys oldest living cast member. I love you too Bud. Kym and Cody Shurbutt

Bruce & Nancy French

May 16, 2005

Louis and Ann Merritt will always be remembered by us as two of the most generous people we have met.

Everyone they met became a friend, and the Merritts lavished kindness, genuine concern, and some of the best home cooking you could ever find! We will miss Louis's enthusiam and energy. He made our world a better place. Ann, we share your loss and pray that you will find comfort from the Lord and the many many folks you have blessed.

Mike Rogers

May 15, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers are with the whole family. We will sure miss Mr. "Hey Hey"

Mike and Rachel Rogers

Steve Templeton

May 15, 2005

Louis Merritt was not only a huge supporter of the Carolina Opry, he was also a special friend. From the very beginning, he and Anne were a second family to me. They always made sure that I never needed for anything when I first moved to Myrtle Beach in 1986. They took me under thier wing as one of their own.

The front row of the Carolina Opry will never be the same without the sound of that familiar shout of "HEY HEY".

Louis, we will miss you more than ever. Your gentle kindness and support through the years have meant the world to me and also to Christie. Your presence will surely be missed by ALL that have known you. Somewhere in Heaven Louis Merritt is cheering from God's front row.

We will miss Louis and our prayers and sympathy go out to Anne.

Steve Templeton

and

Christie Johnston-Wood

eric gumm

May 15, 2005

Louis was the best. I have been with the Carolina Opry many years and we loved after each song hearing Louis yell out "Hey Hey". We will miss him dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ann and the family. There'll never be another Mr. Hey Hey. My wife Rita said in the early days when Louis was parking cars at the theatre in Surfside he would stop cars on hwy 17 so that she and other performers could turn into the parking lot. He was just the best, one of the good guys. We'll never forget him. Eric and Rita Gumm

Richard and Margaret Scott

May 15, 2005

I first met Louis in the spring of 1987 at The Carolina Opry. He was affectionatly known as "Mr. Hay Hay" due to his enthuastic cheer after songs he enjoyed in the show.

It was not long before Louis was helping park cars as guests arrived for the show. In those days there was just a gravel parking lot and not enough spaces for all of the attending guests.

In the early 90's he became part of a comedy skit entering as a "Barney Fife" type character. More recently he was quite a hit as doing guest appearances in "Big Spender".

Louis was a good friend. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Our sympathies to Ann for such a great loss. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.